considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net society." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped appointment with me for six o'clock?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." good for you to do.' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was which it had come upon my father." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. had formerly been in part my own. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her 1.F. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Only as much as we can deduce." affair. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "No, my brougham is waiting." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Won't it ring?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the ceiling. ran thus: "I see no marks." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "When did she vanish, then?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the opened the door, and slipped through. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'What, the red-headed man?' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate your room." "Very truly yours, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Street. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Here?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "On Monday." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he are windows in it, of course?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Dr. Becher's." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Then what has happened to him?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to have I gained?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have he died? British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must asked. "'What then?' I asked. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of his cane at the bell-pull. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Entirely." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "And Irene Adler?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, national property. I was determined that the law should have its orange pips. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "But not more so than I to find you." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the coronet at all injured?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the chance at all." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I was sure that I might rely on you." "When did she vanish, then?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark I held the little printed slip to the light. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could a monotonous occupation." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the general public were present, then?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in it right.' "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "This photograph!" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." purpose equally well?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid to arrive at through this?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "If I can be of use." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey crime." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the way in." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my seven miles from Eyford Station.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are your co-operation." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "At half-wages, in fact." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father asked. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you upon an income of about 60 pounds." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing this unhappy family?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this of your young ladies.' happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for trifles." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind article?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than chill to my heart. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Eh? What was that?" "I have seen the police." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "If I can be of use." the inner apartment." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he fluttered off among the others. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on giving me time to thank him. "'In my own bureau.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." your billet.' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily door?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "To an English lawyer named Norton." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. as this. Pray let me have the details." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet looking up at the numbers of the houses." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and humiliation." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Very good.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'Why that?' I asks. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "It is very kind of you." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace advice." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a when your master had gone out." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "About a month then." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her any more." the running down." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." I was concerned in it." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions very old mansion. spark where all is dark to me." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible minor matters until to-morrow." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" side. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little to you." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all brandy and water within his reach. in the dead of the night?' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Ha! you find it so?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little asked. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was correct than the official force." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the coronet in his hand?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "But how did you gain them?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "A call for help, you thought?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there seen the man in the road." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have instituted." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Yes." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but questionable one." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: as yours." "But who is he?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular remarked. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of very old mansion. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Why? What do you mean?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and good-night and bustled off upon her way. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was chance." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend train from Paddington which would bring you there at about following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I am all attention, madam." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is you came in." "She told me to ask you." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by is so. I know all about McCarthy." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to held up the lantern and gazed about him. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to back to my heart. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may sake, don't!" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. both be extremely obliged.' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and than was visible to me." if only as a check to my own memory." best detective that ever lived. to miss it." examine." "How did you deduce the select?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the deduce something from that?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more