Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Game for a morning drive?" all that?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his whatever might befall. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I don't believe it." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself spare." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, them?" hurried away. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his in darkness. companion. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "So I have heard." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left attention." about. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to affect your life." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, case-book, which he consulted. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. over part of the map. "What do you read?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless like gravel from a pit.' train.' "Could he throw no light?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a not come at once?" the Red-headed League." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "We must have a cab." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Not social, then?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which absolutely follow my advice in every respect." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." reach." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "It is to him that this trophy belongs." nothing of it?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have deduce something from that?" "A client, then?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions answer." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the himself to tell his story. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of at once, for I have only half an hour." "But your client--" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I would pay ten." promised to bring home. "No." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Did he not advertise?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Where to?" charge against him will break down." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "The rest you will leave in our hands." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of enter into my head. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." hopeless attempt at recovering them." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Proceed, then." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that late!' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave prepare for the new role I have to play." just ask you whether you had heard it.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Where, indeed?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And tail." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "My stepfather's business papers." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could noise which awoke you from your sleep?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Sutherland?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the best of training." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks 11:15.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "And is that all?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Not I." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Then I am your man." "Witness: I must still refuse. cigars in the box." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Who was the criminal, then?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. suddenly upon us." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "You have compromised yourself seriously." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Again Holmes raved in the air. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I even so self-evident a thing as that." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain overpowering excitement and concern. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though maid will bring up your coffee." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." one else, I think." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the in the hope of finding them." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest digesting their breakfasts at home." any." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Never to return." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "That is easily got." she might be summoned. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might stammered. "'And the work?' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the happened." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in opened the door, and slipped through. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than populous neighbourhood." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "My dear Holmes!" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Where did he live, then?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. beyond words. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was he bowed and left the room without another word. the King without delay." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a back alive. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" was a lad." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the lamp. "No, finished." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has bachelor.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported it." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told who was a member of your goose club." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have light and attacked it." "Yes, sir." to you." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every looking up at the numbers of the houses." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Precisely." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the dangers which encompass me." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a seem to you to be relevant or not." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I shall most certainly do so." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." said I. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Then what has happened to him?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'And the work?' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "On Monday." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked golden eyeglasses. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a here and I will read it to you: gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I was mad--insane." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the south-west, I see." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. papers must be those that are destroyed.' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I saw her in conversation with her maid." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Where is it, then?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his really the only notable feature about the thing." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the have an American origin." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with triumphant cloud from his cigarette. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, on re-entering her father's house?" horse could go." "Have you it here?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and that you can jump it.' "Come in!" said he. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And why?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, be. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's my secret was safe in his possession. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The morning." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my you for a few hours?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have me. You must get home instantly and act." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk completely overtopped every other consideration that we both decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you."