the so-precious time, but come!' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper all-comprehensive glances. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I writers could invent nothing more crude." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to lost his Christmas dinner." his face. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Yes, sir." forecastle of an emigrant ship. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "It is very kind of you." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free laugh and put his lips to my ear. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and garden below. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study families. Now for the facts. in a friendly supper." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Why serious?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "What I expected to see." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. easy-going way." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in The summons was a brief and urgent one. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black with you alone." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "I think it very unlikely." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "When did she vanish, then?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of memory. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "BALLARAT." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'And the work?' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, gone. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "How did that help you?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "But she could not love him." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual carriage. It was a chestnut." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. closing the door. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "I shall most certainly do so." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an persecution?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I cannot tell." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in His smile broadened. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' http://gutenberg.net/license). which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Yes." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up that I may have something better before very many minutes are on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one been." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "On your arm?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible know all about it," he snarled. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "No." "And for present expenses?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Lee, in the county of Kent." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each opened the door, and slipped through. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Yes." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and straighten it?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and the church but not where the lady lived." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I once more for Briony Lodge. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." that you saw all that I did." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an there." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood with her." his eyes and forehead. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of the vacancies.' "Upon what point?" of Fenchurch Street." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "And I say east," said my patient. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "To the police?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Perfectly so." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his best detective that ever lived. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my gives a meaning to it." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any plantation.' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven strong reason behind." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their fashion which was peculiar to him. "Never." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can wedding?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling legal crime." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of back alive. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet it." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. will take you up to see the machine.' pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, asked. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know throat." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the bottom.' tightly behind him. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Edgeware Road. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Henry Baker is a member." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found brain must have something in it." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by ago." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had unclasping of his long thin hands. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the you." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" married her." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be quickly through a disagreeable task. "You saw the ventilator, too?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "He might." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for make me his representative both with the servants and with the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Nothing." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, despair." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk deduce something from that?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of his grey eyes. correct than the official force." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the stable lane now." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened wife's character?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I telegram would bring me down to your help." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was threw himself down with his face to the pillow. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose chamber." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Come in!" said Holmes. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" tied." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end hurried by. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most all that?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Not him." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled all-comprehensive glances. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "That is it on the dressing-table." ran thus: Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly tear off another piece?' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. lost nothing by them." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back developed." astonishment. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You forget that I know nothing about it." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when new duties?' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to photograph a cabinet?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint fishes. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and