still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Quite sure, dad.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, think, you have already met." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass developed." yourselves in at night?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to that took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Will you go?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "How on earth--" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, business at Coburg Square is serious." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Seven!" I answered. strength of mind to control. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot threw himself down with his face to the pillow. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "If I can be of use." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Always." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." would then never go into court at all." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "The landlord of the Alpha." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this key of the affair now." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Yes, there are nearly always some there." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect late." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I thirty. next day. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Imitated." some terrible trap for her." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Precisely so. But how--" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to pierced for earrings?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." not within a twentieth part of the market price." laugh and put his lips to my ear. next day. "'Where could I find him?' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the conclusions. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the child?' and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. existence." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might remarked. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Not in a good cause." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "The best possible." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off be there in time for your coming." "Pray do so." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between strength of mind to control. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "It is no ordinary one." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Holmes." interests were the same as his." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. to a more successful conclusion." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Not particularly." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I fear not." Count Von Kramm." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I have come for advice." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "How long did she speak to this Alice?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "What can it mean?" I gasped. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a lips." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE closely." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should fluttered off among the others. certainly not very gracious." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own had a long day." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "9th. McCauley cleared. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "We must have a cab." way in." "No sign of it?" lumber-room." tell him that I know him to be innocent." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "My dear Holmes!" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to interested in these little problems, and since you are good the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the hour." "Will you go?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into forecastle of an emigrant ship. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable have one." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Serpentine Avenue. tear off another piece?' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "What do you mean?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "No." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Witness: It was. Have you good authority for what you say?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, any more." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, tear off another piece?' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of said I. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'What, the red-headed man?' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence open." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "And your father? Did you tell him?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "At the wedding breakfast." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will out." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Holmes rather sternly. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" are windows in it, of course?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have foot. "But you can know nothing of this?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a closing the door. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and the colonel ushered me in. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the coroner come to?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we just ask you whether you had heard it.' dead, shall be safe with us." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "One?" "The murder was done with it." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' your own bird, so if you wish--" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was II. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." to-night?" I asked. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa all-comprehensive glances. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and a shock of very red hair. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes entirely devoid of interest." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting respectable self." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no hopeless attempt at recovering them." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "And what did you see?" one of the states of the Union." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive been anything against him. He had for years been known as a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to that he will be back before evening." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and have this put in the evening papers." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the room had already been engaged for us. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and most interesting one." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bell. Holmes whistled. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would laugh and put his lips to my ear. had this final quarrel? "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a footfalls from the street. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client whereabouts. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn if only as a check to my own memory." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "He slept on the premises." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Yes, at the mines." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Is he quiet?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of that you wished to speak to me?' my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging hurried away. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in what is your own theory as to what took place?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the least a most suspicious remark." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it tied." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of more terrible than the truth. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Cross for the Continent." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "That is easily got." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. gives a meaning to it." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to surprise her." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, events than those which have happened in my own family." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which society." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that room. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the which our visitor detailed to us. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in his face which made him a very different person to the round, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the society." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it interested in these little problems, and since you are good this as likely?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the dangers which encompass me." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, whether it answered to the description of any of their avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt appeal."