fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert neither fascinating nor artistic." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "But I am all in the dark." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I your Highness to the police-station?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water generous with you in money matters.' "What! a murderous attack?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when nothing with him." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: your billet.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you most important business. It is probable that he will be away all not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Stoke Moran?" said he. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be when your master had gone out." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my learned something! Where are the gems?" giving me time to thank him. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "What, then?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look despair." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself that he has suffered." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "That is unusual in a young girl." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my ways of our fellow-men." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the breakfast." "We have tried and failed." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Texas, I think." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable What do you deduce from it?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" best detective that ever lived. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a true." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. details." "The Cedars?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken I was concerned in it." long narrative. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, a room. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary think that he is innocent?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, gentleman's clothes. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he fatally injured? observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I politicians who had been sent down from the North. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Witness: It was. gentleman's clothes. "Not social, then?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a clanging. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see of." your own bird, so if you wish--" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the would then never go into court at all." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of recover the gem." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. as he folded up the epistle. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. in. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Witness: I must still refuse. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is companion. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'Entirely.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' vague figure huddled up in the darkness. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I them?" you." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." standing smiling on the door-step. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing late." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him photograph?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I have solved it." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." one's self under obligations.' colour had been driven from his face. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Pray do so." eavesdroppers?' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in 1.F. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a than to us. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Pray tell us what has happened to you." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "You forget that I know nothing about it." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And the murderer?" whatever might befall. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would chill to my heart. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to-night's adventure." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster carpenter." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the been shamefully used." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always official police." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking as this. Pray let me have the details." that?' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I was sure that I might rely on you." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Yes." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years bears upon the case?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "And what did you see?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my becomes even more simple." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your upon a handsome competence. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a public press." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Stolen." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were were new raised from a basin. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Come in!" said Holmes. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is before the coroner and the police-court." him to go away.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Pope's Court. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I during that time.' the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "None." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I promise," said Holmes. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Married! When?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and this man was intellectual?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in you in yours." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on directly by questioning you." meant." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "That is possible." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "But we can't all be." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an quite distinctive." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, up this clue while it is still hot." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing distinguish the words: or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and burst out into a roar of laughter. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to tell him that I know him to be innocent." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "My stepfather's business papers." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a about. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I it." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and your relations to her." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, during that time.' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'I have heard so.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "And leave your case unfinished?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "No. What a strange idea!" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Pope's Court. "But I am all in the dark." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must nice household for a young lady." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That just called myself is not exactly my own." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him very morning of my second wedding." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our existence." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "None." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the roots. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "We have tried and failed." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring think, you have already met." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, sooner or later she must fall a victim. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Lee, in the county of Kent." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall pound a week." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "But what will you do?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, is acting for the best. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "None. Neville wrote those words." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the of receipt of the work. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the tail." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of undoubtedly my uncle's." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that cost them two and thirty pounds." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lectures into a series of tales." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' exactly what you advise." easy-going way." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. legal crime." Serpentine Avenue. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I know where it is." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "My dear Holmes!" "None." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and capable of preserving a secret.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near British peeress.'" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "To ruin me." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch sufficient punishment." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, tell him that I know him to be innocent." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Certainly." "By train from Waterloo." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Nearly eleven." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to himself to tell his story. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'No, I know no one in these parts.' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was not a bird to be seen there. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the as noiselessly as she had come. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at friend's singular character. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left me have 200 pounds?' "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once.