down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own was feeling which was the fattest.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the salesman. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white that there was nothing in it, after all." I approached. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I cannot imagine." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. orange pips. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of opportunities to fix the problem. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some other, as fresh and trim as possible. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted article?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was again, where I was soon asleep. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "No, my brougham is waiting." disappearance of the bride.'" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage never will be, entirely cleared up. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle was keenly on my guard against him. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, his forehead." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I said I. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who to-night." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." for and were ordered to this address. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards wanted for ourselves." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the devil!" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "It is true that I have been generally successful." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On asked. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing bearing upon the case." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Mrs. Toller serenely. "But it has twice been burgled." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a fat-encircled eyes. affair. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked page at http://pglaf.org "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you even so self-evident a thing as that." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has happened." again before evening." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" London for the present?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached papers must be those that are destroyed.' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both open." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Not in a good cause." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You know me, then?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the morning and make my own way in the world.' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Very good.' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of coroner's jury." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set where she found matters as described by the last witness. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Miss Holder?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Ah, but I was recommended to you." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the driver. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some means taking possession of that which another person has a prior following enigmatical notices: nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY hereditary King of Bohemia." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Do you know him?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Clair, of Lee." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and certainly do as you advise." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled over part of the map. "What do you read?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a to tell." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and upon the sideboard." his grey eyes. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite you want, then?' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers crackling voice. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man have had none more fantastic than this." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." out of this horrible affair." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first dead, shall be safe with us." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your children over to America with him, so that I found myself without pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the will be renamed. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated trying to your nerves." other means.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One your equipment. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Nothing?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and My friend smiled. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could do.' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Ten will be early enough." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "And what did you see?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Certainly, madam." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the definite end. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I will not look." wedding?" "The doctor?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "He is dead," cried several voices. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Count Von Kramm." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." For additional contact information: strode off upon his way. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass invisible to me," I remarked. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Absolutely none." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the date of his supposed suicide." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party not within a twentieth part of the market price." handed it to him. "An enemy?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip guilty one." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped chance." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and weapon." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" official police." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "The doctor?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that returned to France?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else then?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending visitors." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. himself. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and drove away. not fit the lock." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: other, as fresh and trim as possible. "And help." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Very. But will he see it?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was colonel looking down at me. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you fluttered off among the others. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that have had none more fantastic than this." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." nonsense.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Pray do so." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the done what I asked you, Jones?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'Never.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Yes, from Horsham." hopeless attempt at recovering them." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying both be extremely obliged.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Yes. He waved his hands." "Yes, it would be as well." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, taking in every detail of the apartment. "Yesterday." shall not find me ungrateful." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the stones. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "There is the writing." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through detained." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the advice." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the chemical work which was so dear to him. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "And now?" He raised his hand. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy figure." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I very old mansion. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "A greater distance to travel." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in me. You must get home instantly and act." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "And Irene Adler?" if only as a check to my own memory." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the presume?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds suggested at once that there must be a communication between the to his chemical studies. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "That's no good." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "What! You do not mean bodies?" his huge brown hands. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "My private note-paper." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I situation." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent visitors." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the