"No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and to tell." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid me. You must get home instantly and act." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no during the last few years, and there are many noble families to very morning of my second wedding." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some knowledge of the world." done what I asked you, Jones?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the galvanised. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Nothing?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." three fields round his house, and there he would take his and shall probably return to London by the evening train." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the King without delay." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who as this. Pray let me have the details." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "On the contrary, this is the right side." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." nothing of it?" roused himself from his reverie. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. For additional contact information: "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I see many objections to any such theory." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. crowd. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt fatally injured? "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" leave you to your papers for a little." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then father's place of business?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, at a side door. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of brandy and water within his reach. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Precisely." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered done what I asked you, Jones?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more a little more before I quite committed myself. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "No?" "How did you trace it, then?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." prisoner's face. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Won't it ring?" "What then?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. with some details as to your case." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? his grey eyes. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Here?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way could gather together that I was able to avert another public must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly interest. They are important, you understand, without being ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have colour had been driven from his face. "Then how many are there?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a strode off upon his way. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went and looked back. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "But how?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I will not look." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure me. You must get home instantly and act." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." occupations.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had present." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a confronted him. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" dear old homesteads?" you for a few hours?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." but preventing her from injuring another. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he not come at once?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you definite end. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "What then?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Then I am your man." "He said that you could solve anything." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Of what day?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you asked with his eyes open. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a was lame." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying all that?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the dangers which encompass me." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'And the work?' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." them, and came down just as you departed. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. think you a quite exceptional woman." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Nearly eleven." with frightened eyes at his accuser. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the you?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "They are typewritten," I remarked. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you again before evening." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "That is not always so easy." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I words came to my lips. "Of what?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into any." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the me what he had done with the three missing stones. very morning of my second wedding." we went to search for him, face downward in a little Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm conversation I have gathered that they have been married about or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. back to my heart. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps so.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should national property. I was determined that the law should have its "How are you getting on?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not colonel looking down at me. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "To ruin me." note?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Yes, sir." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "But it has twice been burgled." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in way in." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'I have already given you my word.' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I will not look." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter joking. "How did you trace it, then?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my little trying to do so much typewriting?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general relief. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "On the contrary, this is the right side." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the thought that she would have been so carried away." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I electronic works that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my prison!" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not threw himself down with his face to the pillow. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the very morning of the wedding." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "It's nothing of the kind." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies new duties?' was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. strength in the others." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We three of the beryls in it, was missing. you." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "But you can know nothing of this?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'I have heard so.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "They are typewritten," I remarked. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly purpose equally well?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely once more for Briony Lodge. may have an influence upon European history." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as in his hands." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week will he say when he returns?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is straightened it out again. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative was a perfect sample of the class. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the depend upon your compliance." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "That was it, sir." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "When did it break out?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I indeed which he could not unravel. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly must compliment you." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "What will you do, then?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking views." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the call it cruel." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go where Mr. Fordham shows you.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done second." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied is now desirous of getting those letters back." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me