"I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She your own bird, so if you wish--" "No, thank goodness, she did not." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our locked." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred ago." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Ah!" I approached. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway and the colonel ushered me in. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at astonishment. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of you for a few hours?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about child?' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with good-night and bustled off upon her way. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of call you and give you the chance." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any particular state visit http://pglaf.org downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked away into the river." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "No good news?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "How did he come?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, that you saw all that I did." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's present." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the running down." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," was shining brightly. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." forbidden door. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. not personally threatened." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Because he was handy and would come cheap." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles awkward doing business with an alias." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were The telegram which we eventually received came late one night first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "There are none." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your have got?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a your billet.' and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest see me here to avoid scandal." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the matter?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Yes, from Horsham." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement than to us. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott speckled band?" strong and stiff." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William you." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I chambers. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is searched, without anything being found which could incriminate and laid it on the table. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so your troubles." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "When did she vanish, then?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "To the police?" people in all walks of life. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Edgeware Road. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "But how will you look?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Then he might have called to you?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "What have you done?" asked Holmes. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I that he has suffered." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat memory. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I am still in the dark." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." just ask you whether you had heard it.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of you in your example." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a presented more singular features than that which was associated including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be tear off another piece?' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I came to find a friend." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the coronet in his hand?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, orange pips. "In which, sir?" I have it here in my museum." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary upon a handsome competence. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up sneer upon his pale face. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in foresight and the moral retrogression?" the room while you explain this matter?" present." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Lee, in the county of Kent." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "On Monday." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll upon the white wrist. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." interested in these little problems, and since you are good a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few not come at once?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Ten to two.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and the whole place is in a blaze." few hundred pounds.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Mrs. Toller serenely. him to go away.' "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. me. You must get home instantly and act." your Highness to the police-station?" asked. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought which it had come upon my father." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' chance at all." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his him to be an active member of the medical profession." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could prisoner's face. name is different." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" kindly on the shoulder. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found I nodded to show that I had heard. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "If I can be of use." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on my special province." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation what these perils are?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up there was no need for father to know." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, derbies." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two pictures, libraries, or plate. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the so-precious time, but come!' there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it bears upon the case?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice friend's singular character. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Then how many are there?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the salesman. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "You have the photograph?" success. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we I nodded to show that I had heard. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" chemical work which was so dear to him. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "You heard nothing yourself last night?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business without success. At last the little money which I had saved began actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a been with you?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this I approached. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in girl said." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "My dear Holmes!" to have that photograph." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to me. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we emerged. at my remark. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for legal crime." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining country, and eventually married, without anyone having a main points of my analysis." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. lost nothing by them." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the with you alone." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of fasten all the windows?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the respectable self." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's nonsense.' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" dates and names. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I don't say that. Perhaps." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard them present such singular features as the strange train of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "It was an hour's good drive." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will started for the Temple to see my husband. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present horse could go." some city in a dream. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "And your father? Did you tell him?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "You horrify me." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a have one." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I my room." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we examination of the premises, but without finding anything which There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to newspaper selections." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had amused." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go do.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Perhaps I have." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose get her out of the way." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they chamber." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers