again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "What office?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, examine." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "His face fell immediately. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so thought that she would have been so carried away." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You did not overhear what they said?" stood on the top of it. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and used to be." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Yes." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." girl said." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Then I can wait in the next room." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a note?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save thin legs towards the fire. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you not interfere, come what may. You understand?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my round and wave him away like that.' four million human beings all jostling each other within the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "And Irene Adler?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you she has been waylaid. There has been no result." three fields round his house, and there he would take his and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I cannot as yet see any connection." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "You know me, then?" hair?' neither fascinating nor artistic." "We must have a cab." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in is four-and-twenty." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote good for you to do.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. not personally threatened." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." had died away into the silence from which it rose. respectable self." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of guilty one." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Was there a secret marriage?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see of it with the greatest attention. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Lestrade of Scotland Yard." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "ARAT," I read. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H gigantic client. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque relief. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through straightened it out again. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they For additional contact information: respectable self." arrested. You then--" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing my room." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in a good hundred miles off by now." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "It surprised me." "The Coroner: What do you mean? Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the coronet in his hand?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple than to us. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'And the work?' I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "And now?" I asked. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending business." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "To ruin me." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I have hopes." giving me time to thank him. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the hour?' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." at my remark. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major advice." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing married her." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'I shall certainly be there.' among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "He is still with you, I presume?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Pope's Court, Fleet Street." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to seen the man in the road." in a very precise fashion." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "No legal papers or certificates?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout child?' "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And leave your case unfinished?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with in a very precise fashion." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the this man was intellectual?" strength in the others." house for five minutes.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." DISSOLVED. "My Mary? Impossible!" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning morning." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and the church but not where the lady lived." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'Why that?' I asks. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "She will not sell." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land to change my dress. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this walking." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter round and wave him away like that.' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest come either from the window or the door. My attention was office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then beg that you will break it off." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, maid will bring up your coffee." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, awkward doing business with an alias." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. hopeless attempt at recovering them." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "That is also quite modern," said the lady. into the room. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "To an English lawyer named Norton." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he more solid." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite to arrive at through this?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very sake, don't!" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and of campaign. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "She showed me, as I told you she would." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very her also." carriage. It was a chestnut." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Of what?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy room?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "If so, much may have happened between." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the emerged. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost writing, and yet I know it well." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and nights." was a loud and authoritative tap. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in details should find their way into the papers. Inspector chance." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "What then?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and that he would see to anything that turned up. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the stable lane now." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. not, dad?" she asked. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Texas, I think." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** have not had my rubber." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I have a cab outside." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' you do it in twenty minutes!' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "An accident, I presume?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." you understand?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is could not account in any way for the presence of the missing clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to problems help me to do so." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. disturbance in my wife." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had highly," said Holmes. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over laugh and put his lips to my ear. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the station." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I was sure that I might rely on you." Stoke Moran." you do it in twenty minutes!' "One of the highest in England." "No sign of it?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "And why in hopes?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and hair?' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "But of what society?" existence." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of will be renamed. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew very morning of my second wedding." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner said Mr. Holder. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon always that they were such commands as a lady might with putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. where we are going." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are more terrible than the truth. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger through." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening front of me. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me,