"Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. posted to-day." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." over here." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I am in hopes that she does." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the loss of it. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New despair." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers is now desirous of getting those letters back." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before interests were the same as his." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Won't it ring?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Yes." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our on re-entering her father's house?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it remarked. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Won't it ring?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of it with the greatest attention. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our than to us. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten tail." "'Never.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Two days later this same performance was gone through under whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Witness: It was. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Yes?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be south, for the country is more deserted there." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several there." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "You heard nothing yourself last night?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Deserted you?" weighed down with some great anxiety. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. secret." hurried away. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Then I can wait in the next room." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Now, then, what's the last entry?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could other means.' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who system of imprisonment?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his It was close upon four before the door opened, and a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to help us in this matter." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "We must have a cab." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Yes." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, despaired of." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "So I have heard." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Yes." questioning and rather startled gaze. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep father's place of business?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Of Friday, June 19th." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "But we can't all be." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was I leave." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay this truth that in these little records of our cases which you I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and hereditary King of Bohemia." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my likely to be some crony of the landlady's." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but fasten all the windows?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us enter Dr. Roylott's room." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Did you become engaged then?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in been able to understand it, in a very few words. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and fashion which was peculiar to him. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he business matters.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Very truly yours, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I fear not." "It was." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then which we had just quitted. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet this man was intellectual?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and all of them with the keenest interest. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of test if we have an answer to our advertisement." be there in time for your coming." my little problems." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card carpenter." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very himself in a perplexing position. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I am following you closely," I answered. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Your presence might be invaluable." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "But she could not love him." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the just called myself is not exactly my own." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened in one or two places in England?' death." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "The gentleman I describe." formed some opinion?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. shoulder; "he's all right." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the nursery. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the his face. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, meanly of me." do.' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "This photograph!" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would sneer upon his pale face. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the recover the gem." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" hereditary King of Bohemia." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the is a common subject for conversation. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. shoulder. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' but preventing her from injuring another. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very should be so warm over such a trifle." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet perplexity from it to my illustrious client. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps article?" remarked. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his you?' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and put his glass in his pocket. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I say it is." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. was not a bird to be seen there. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a possible that we could bring him back to her? call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser up this clue while it is still hot." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned only touch the interest." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Yes." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Not yet." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair been lifted and conveyed somewhere." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a papers." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "How often?" assist you in forming an opinion." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "If I can be of use." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of himself. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Absolutely?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I think that I had better go, Holmes." than to us. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Frequently." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "In heaven's name, what for?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful as noiselessly as she had come. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that to-night's adventure." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You think that he is dead?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And it is--" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every hands. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to at a side door. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the stable lane now." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" to-night?' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria lumber-room." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Never to return." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our appointment with me for six o'clock?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. shoulder. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked nothing with him." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "A call for help, you thought?" next day. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Stoke Moran?" said he. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, mystery may be cleared along those lines." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Then you may be so with me." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "The best possible." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Perfectly so." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Where could I find him?' fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Come in!" said Holmes. this poor creature." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this which are rolled in Rotterdam." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Yes, sir." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler