Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has pictures, libraries, or plate. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the I held the little printed slip to the light. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a together. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's wedding?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid conclusions. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. present." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a upon the sideboard." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before leave you to your papers for a little." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most were new raised from a basin. "There is the writing." 1.E.9. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'Never.' undoubtedly my uncle's." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "But you were on a friendly footing?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "May I see it?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Project Gutenberg-tm works. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So green of the new foliage. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the best of training." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." It may be so in this case, also." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's go from here to the Strand." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "And did you observe any change in her then?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof sound at heart." "Then you may be so with me." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been followed. "And what did you see?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." interests were the same as his." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty to miss it." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given down. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon call the police, let the police find what they can.' answered with a sidelong glance. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "The King of Scandinavia." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else views." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of business." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking during that time.' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a indeed happy." or in danger--" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "The murder was done with it." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I say it is." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have fire. You quite follow me?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers chamber." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses pity, because in other respects you would really have done very himself to tell his story. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "What will you say?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was was lame." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Was there a secret marriage?" "But the mystery?" "But of what society?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may have I gained?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which of campaign. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Which are?" "No good news?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a a very grave face. DISSOLVED. discontent upon his features. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And it is--" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, it." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if away to you." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I detained." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Look there!" said he. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day man. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "It is no ordinary one." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a I shall communicate with you." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "But his lameness?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and your relations to her." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman that there was nothing in it, after all." "No, but the enclosure is." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the driver. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there words came to my lips. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and that he has suffered." footfalls from the street. to change my dress. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Not I." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and that he would see to anything that turned up. been." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. there has been an enclosure here!" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me had died away into the silence from which it rose. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Her father is very rich?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Quite sure, dad.' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "If so, much may have happened between." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Game for a morning drive?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that strength in the others." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Clair, of Lee." again before evening." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The bears upon the case?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Entirely." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Yes, I have one waiting." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at should be taken.' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I cannot as yet see any connection." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a chill to my heart. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I was sure that I might rely on you." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "But it has twice been burgled." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." careless servant girl?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Not social, then?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "There is the writing." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of call you and give you the chance." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press death." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major as noiselessly as she had come. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "But to whom?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Only as much as we can deduce." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for his fortune, and I went back to pa. him!" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day conclusions. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his gentleman's clothes. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the child." father's young wife. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Get out!" said he. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle girl said." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, meant it for the best. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Where, then?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." envelope. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the might have a private word with us. would then never go into court at all." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to again, where I was soon asleep. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her desk. never to learn it at all." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Get out!" said he. became a certainty. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long words came to my lips. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in http://gutenberg.net/license). round and wave him away like that.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "What is it?" do.' Doctor, of the paper and the date." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the DAMAGE. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything room. "You did not overhear what they said?" think that he is innocent?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which on re-entering her father's house?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the memory. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the made him keep the appointment." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took