"You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'Ten to two.' The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Where, indeed?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks everything which you would wish to know." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute for the market.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and inquire as to the address." have had none more fantastic than this." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my what is your own theory as to what took place?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into all-comprehensive glances. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional bell. Holmes whistled. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the His name is Francis Prosper." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'I have heard so.' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'As governess?' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Then you may be so with me." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "But you were on a friendly footing?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we business?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." I took the paper from him and read as follows: confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "The knees of his trousers." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was room had already been engaged for us. "'What, the red-headed man?' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg my room." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Breckinridge is his name." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the with some details as to your case." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the you." as he remarks, very much against the son." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind his cane at the bell-pull. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt awkward doing business with an alias." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a is four-and-twenty." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom so.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the intrusion of other matters." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those once more on the important position which you have been fortunate home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table through." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the driver. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Nor running a chance of arrest?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very front of me. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Where to?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Street. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and my special province." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had feature." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness south, for the country is more deserted there." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At least a fellow-countryman. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "The doctor?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire were new raised from a basin. "None." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion outside." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' own family. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which interest. They are important, you understand, without being THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the even of instruction." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently good for you to do.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that heavily into it. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Perhaps I have." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Precisely." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Nothing." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Yes, it was twisted." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Why did you beat the pavement?" "VIOLET HUNTER." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Nothing?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'Why that?' I asks. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I said I. not as remarkable as your advertisement." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" recover the gem." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are voice. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "That sounds a little paradoxical." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales as he folded up the epistle. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Absolutely?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Then, as to money?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was villagers almost as much as their master. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Thank you. Pray proceed." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps persecution?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may extraordinary contortions. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been pierced for earrings?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "To ruin me." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "We have tried and failed." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. over with notes and figures. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "By train from Waterloo." and that he would see to anything that turned up. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the shall use the carriage to-night." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the King without delay." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the be there in time for your coming." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I have a cab outside." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Very truly yours, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and wait." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "One of the highest in England." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but colour had been driven from his face. evidence," I remarked. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things brandy and water within his reach. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to call for it in person on Monday morning.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "And now?" I asked. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to three of the beryls in it, was missing. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have You want to know what became of those geese?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and in. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense friends, not even his own brother. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Pope's Court. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love drove away. 1.E.9. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Ten to two.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." client, rising. "I am all attention, madam." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Where, indeed?" your troubles." "My private note-paper." manager. province." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' tension within him. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Perhaps I have." fuss that is made over them." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not chamber." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "And you thought he was pulled back?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the introspective fashion. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Where, indeed?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little gone before you can get him to hospital." copied or distributed: "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Street. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power hopeless attempt at recovering them." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the assist you in forming an opinion." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing of the vacancies.' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP best detective that ever lived. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, remarked. then?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "What will you say?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a ordinary clothes on?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, attention." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I cannot as yet see any connection." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Where to?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it this truth that in these little records of our cases which you revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Mrs. Toller serenely. sparkled upon his finger. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of system of imprisonment?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no coroner's jury." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that