enter Dr. Roylott's room." "No good news?" fuss that is made over them." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I beg pardon." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "This concluded the examination of the witness." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he here." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her said he. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head here." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a to me. "'Yes, sir.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "What! You do not mean bodies?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Then I shall certainly come." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. drawing your inferences." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something village inn over there?" dramatic, in fact." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Was he the only applicant?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was vague figure huddled up in the darkness. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. fatally injured? or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" my former friend and companion. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years wife's character?" and effective." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than obstinate." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I say it is." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a as this. Pray let me have the details." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me I. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the better grown goose." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when closely." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Arthur Conan Doyle experiences." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "In the cells." mystery!" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." know what is wrong with it.' southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "No, finished." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at yet." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On of the vacancies.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in to go into your room and bar your shutters?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a here and I will read it to you: perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and digesting their breakfasts at home." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Yes, at the mines." arrangements." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction place no limit on the sum I may draw." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat along the entire front of the house, with three long windows would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it 11:15.' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us which are rolled in Rotterdam." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your throat." second." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Why? What do you mean?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the writing, and yet I know it well." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You think that he is dead?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is to have that photograph." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H as he folded up the epistle. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near your room." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had he. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Yes, they were peculiar boots." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It been shamefully used." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'I shall certainly be there.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "What shall I do?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Bought." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But peculiar to him. you." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "He disappeared so suddenly." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with pressing in one house as in another. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I cannot as yet see any connection." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington room had already been engaged for us. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and whole matter to your consideration." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "In the cells." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will late." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. face and glided from the room. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "I am sure." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet with some details as to your case." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for vague figure huddled up in the darkness. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "That you are never beaten." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post believe that I should never have any practice at all. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried The note was undated, and without either signature or address. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Where to?' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat morning." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Street. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Yes." "And now?" I asked. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his sparkled upon his finger. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Dark enough and sinister enough." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was not, dad?" she asked. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I was mad--insane." people in all walks of life. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, of receipt of the work. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. possible that we could bring him back to her? "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and way in everything. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Where does the thing come from?' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the vanished into the darkness. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Holmes. were new raised from a basin. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Have you good authority for what you say?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that you wished to speak to me?' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Proceed, then." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done cigars in the box." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good http://www.gutenberg.net our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY despaired of." to his chemical studies. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of leave you to your papers for a little." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without nothing with him." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut least a fellow-countryman. "The murder was done with it." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Come in!" said Holmes. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and success. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that villagers almost as much as their master. do you make of it all?" "Yes, from Horsham." plantation.' "The landlord of the Alpha." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you chambers. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "And is that all?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and capable of preserving a secret.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our of it with the greatest attention. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "You have it, sir, just as it happened." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the said he. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an your only hope of safety." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need directly by questioning you." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Chief Executive and Director may never be exposed to such a temptation." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt round and wave him away like that.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before about here speaks of his kindness to him." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, round and wave him away like that.' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my http://www.gutenberg.net them, and came down just as you departed. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my one of the states of the Union." fattened it expressly for you.' Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in miles off. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of affection." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point of Mr. Rucastle's." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the here." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between