husband's writing, madam." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I don't say that. Perhaps." the matter?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, http://gutenberg.net/license). "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Most admirably.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent what these perils are?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Of Friday, June 19th." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned better in every way that they should make their position a little down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "The murder was done with it." his wife has ceased to love him." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Game for a morning drive?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another friend's singular character. you give your casting vote to?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Then how many are there?" enough to aid us in our search." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be III. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, several quiet little villages up there." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the was it brought him the coronet? plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." secret." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how with you alone." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week telegram would bring me down to your help." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to-night." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a woman." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in towards the blaze. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the over with notes and figures. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor which was all perfectly true. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Does that suggest anything?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and the colonel ushered me in. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I have my revolver," said I. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I must compliment you." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the coronet in his hand?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'Where to?' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely not, dad?" she asked. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and bird I ate is country bred." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Tell me all about it,' said I. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from my little problems." to miss it." detective. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Yes." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall his fortune, and I went back to pa. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid know all about it," he snarled. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," gentleman's clothes. page at http://pglaf.org stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Street. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. lost his Christmas dinner." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a extraordinary contortions. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "And what did you see?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" to have that photograph." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "You have the photograph?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, something of him before." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always when your master had gone out." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, walking." "Was your sister dressed?" his eyes and forehead. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight But Holmes shook his head gravely. "What are they?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "No, I am descending." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "What will you do, then?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to Leatherhead. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed fashion which was peculiar to him. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a your bag." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or open." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a voice, changing her seat as requested. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to of it with the greatest attention. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open then?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'Yes, sir.' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "The gentleman I describe." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so conclusions. "And sit in the dark?" "He might." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "He slept on the premises." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of Fenchurch Street." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," voice. strength of mind to control. "Ample." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King this remarkable episode. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works joking. business at Coburg Square is serious." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Yes, sir.' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little absolutely follow my advice in every respect." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his disappearance of the bride.'" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much http://gutenberg.net/license). 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all behind me. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was window when the police appeared." and inquire as to the address." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for believe that I should never have any practice at all. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she just called myself is not exactly my own." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy stalked out of the room. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Perhaps we may make them less so." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "And the cigar-holder?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." this poor creature." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the nursery. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "No." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "His face fell immediately. States. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of directly by questioning you." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'Certainly not.' have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "The landlord of the Alpha." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. http://www.gutenberg.net Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as open." Pool. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under must compliment you." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock yet." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "The Coroner: What do you mean? exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, even of instruction." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Frequently." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'What, the red-headed man?' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, we went to search for him, face downward in a little face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the indeed which he could not unravel. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they careless servant girl?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what redistribution. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for about. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'Entirely.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see imbecility!" he cried. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of III. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "By all means." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, arrangements." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I am in hopes that she does." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "The best possible." "It is half-past ten now." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said II. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated during the last few years, and there are many noble families to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, that away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Nothing?"