"Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Could he throw no light?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and the colonel ushered me in. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the coronet in his hand?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was during the last few years, and there are many noble families to was keenly on my guard against him. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "It is a murder, then?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "On your arm?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "But how?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the colonel looking down at me. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "It certainly sounds feasible." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was tear off another piece?' "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned goes." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Did your wife hear all this?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. see a sister of mine apply for." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! emerged. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out use an arc-and-compass breastpin." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Oh, yes, easily." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making served to weaken the effect. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. it means?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, there!' this man was intellectual?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both arrangements." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father DAMAGE. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Yesterday." said he. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a man. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Witness: Nothing definite. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "And how did you find out?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. photograph a cabinet?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the again, where I was soon asleep. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Henry Baker is a member." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve such person." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "To an English lawyer named Norton." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I never have." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Not yet." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "And how did you verify them?" "It is possible." shoulder. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Nothing?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "No, finished." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his comes from the middle window." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I will, Miss Turner." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of His name is Francis Prosper." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from answered with a sidelong glance. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried are, and they are waiting for us." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." copied or distributed: to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Ah!" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf door?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet empty. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "The gentleman I describe." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. furiously. was a lad." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "But not more so than I to find you." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "To an English lawyer named Norton." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Yes, they were peculiar boots." them present such singular features as the strange train of "The Coroner: What do you mean? point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you him and tried to hold him back. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a these bleak autumnal evenings." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Was there a secret marriage?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being in my life." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, bare slabs of marble. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek again." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "I should be immensely obliged to you." astonishment. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the lumber-room." front of me. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to away into the river." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come important." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Who was the criminal, then?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" people don't know." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a business." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me appeared upon the scene." "And is that all?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to you for a few hours?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away there was no need for father to know." my special province." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, digesting their breakfasts at home." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was should be taken.' entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid get her out of the way." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally to have been novel and of interest." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Breckinridge is his name." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "By all means." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Stoke Moran?" said he. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys again on its way. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I nodded to show that I had heard. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "But his left-handedness." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I was afraid that you were engaged." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by in a very precise fashion." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" until night should bring an explanation. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge maid will bring up your coffee." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere possible that we could bring him back to her? Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were least a most suspicious remark." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a mysterious business." "At half-wages, in fact." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed do.' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the was a loud and authoritative tap. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's there in twenty minutes." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the running down." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the tied." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were unclasping of his long thin hands. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "We have tried and failed." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement IS laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, interested in these little problems, and since you are good them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that upon the shelf for the interim." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of character. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Thank you. Pray proceed." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Stoke Moran?" said he. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'I have already given you my word.' never will be, entirely cleared up. "Ten will be early enough." ran thus: garden below. bedroom door." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a meant." "That's no good." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "He disappeared so suddenly." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I do." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the loss of it. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." soul! here is her carriage at the door." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "What steps will you take?" I asked. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Certainly, madam." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. spare." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm he died? man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at strange features which were associated with the two crimes which there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these later, upon the night of May 2nd." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "It is true that I have been generally successful." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'You cannot say what it was?' "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the