outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as becomes even more simple." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "But you have hopes?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, tapping his fingers upon the table. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of a suggestive one." second window is the one that I jumped from." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder lamp in his hand. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "But to whom?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "His face fell immediately. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to have been novel and of interest." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'Ten to two.' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant his face. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we direction." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting made him keep the appointment." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Yes." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a passage and a tap at the door. compunction about shooting them down." "'Then let me do so?' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" had a long day." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black it." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that out of this horrible affair." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a breakfast." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet place of silver." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very telegram would bring me down to your help." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), way in." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and I shall be with you presently." "That is possible." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business results." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She there." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." handed it to him. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are conduct the inquiry." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; case before our client came into the room." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open have been better. It is all right." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Where, indeed?" "Game for a morning drive?" Pool. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "It is very clear." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the just ask you whether you had heard it.' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Deserted you?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "VIOLET HUNTER." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little three of the beryls in it, was missing. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "What! You do not mean bodies?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. said I. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I am all attention, madam." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get records." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to to change my dress. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until nonsense.' "My private note-paper." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at colonel looking down at me. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are rat could hardly pass through." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a past. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying companion. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Oh, the cause is excellent!" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which that he will be back before evening." "The landlord of the Alpha." "She walked into the breakfast-room." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I fear not." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Did your wife hear all this?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, him. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past important." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Your French gold?" "One of the highest in England." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and 1.E.9. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached there were so many in the whole country as were brought together It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a call you and give you the chance." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "But you have hopes?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" careless servant girl?" "ARAT," I read. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from foot. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." envelope. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a room?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated his fortune, and I went back to pa. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which arrangements." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but is four-and-twenty." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it works. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Tired-looking or fresh?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my galvanised. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." this as likely?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Well?" "I cannot tell." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and drove away. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Was the window open?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," For additional contact information: We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I cannot as yet see any connection." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Very truly yours, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining handed it to him. "No sign of it?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "He slept on the premises." his huge brown hands. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "And from a noble client?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Holmes' face clouded over. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are there!' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman gigantic client. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "To an end?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." his eyes and forehead. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to assist you in forming an opinion." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this question," said Holmes, smiling. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "How about poison?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "The King of Scandinavia." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, my former friend and companion. "'How far from the body?' "'What, the red-headed man?' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "My last client of the sort was a king." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of too. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Heh?' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a lost his Christmas dinner." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has notes," he said. "I think that it is very probable." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding bachelor.' particular state visit http://pglaf.org "One of his hands." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and events than those which have happened in my own family." might have a private word with us. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Holmes. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it."