somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we My friend smiled. "What have you to say now?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; in this way: fashion which was peculiar to him. depend upon my doing so.' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of purpose equally well?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it did not hear it also.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal walking." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in to his chemical studies. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Her father is very rich?" "That is easily got." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Witness: I must still refuse. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "And I." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. our word." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal is four-and-twenty." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, fear." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and enough to aid us in our search." papers must be those that are destroyed.' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, were new raised from a basin. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "What I expected to see." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'Very good.' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my entirely lost his self-respect." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I cannot tell." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You will not go there first?" "'In my own bureau.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were come either from the window or the door. My attention was thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "None." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through papers on the sundial.'" leaning back in his chair. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' galvanised. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching round with crates and massive boxes. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Well?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your It may be so in this case, also." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely affection." father's place of business?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes roused himself from his reverie. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you all?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No asked. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate spark where all is dark to me." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could through." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "My Mary? Impossible!" promised to bring home. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. come either from the window or the door. My attention was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it direction." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help ways including including checks, online payments and credit card screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "You have but to name it." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called horse could go." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Look there!" said he. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you to change my dress. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Just look it up, then." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Where, then, is my wife?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "How about poison?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him whether it answered to the description of any of their She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Did you observe the colour?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "But what will you do?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared strength of mind to control. "And on what day did he meet his death?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Has he come with you to-night?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, south, for the country is more deserted there." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to was shining brightly. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed were wasted." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. upon an income of about 60 pounds." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "The Coroner: What do you mean? above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography interest. They are important, you understand, without being down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a conduct the inquiry." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should where Mr. Fordham shows you.' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if had this final quarrel? while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY said he. to-morrow." obstinate." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" to have that photograph." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a for the market.' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't them present such singular features as the strange train of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' like that before?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, was a lad." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, me." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into him to go away.' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You have a clue?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "But how?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the only touch the interest." of." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even something of him before." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and you for a few hours?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "By no means." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. chambers. "I have come for advice." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "No, thank goodness, she did not." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Precisely." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white upon an income of about 60 pounds." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Was he the only applicant?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. side. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while question. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned had no one to advise her at such a crisis." been." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. in his hands." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my an introduction to him?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the tragedy. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a envelope. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too man. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more chair. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: there were one or two details which were new to me. But the II. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to could not have written that. It is the German who is so events, Mr. Windibank!" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers been shamefully used." over part of the map. "What do you read?" asked with his eyes open. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From little adventures." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. to miss it." "Well." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "And your father? Did you tell him?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was in his hands." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Married! When?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the stones. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Your sister is dead, then?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "In San Francisco, a year ago." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "No, I had a dozen." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever this unhappy family?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "But his lameness?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's events than those which have happened in my own family." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" may have an influence upon European history." business?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. not within a twentieth part of the market price." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my which I could not give. He asked for Alice. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his weapon." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it details should find their way into the papers. Inspector she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the general public were present, then?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I never have." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself public press." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in where she found matters as described by the last witness. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Then, as to money?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "What! Had he lost his wife?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but in the hope of finding them." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He room had already been engaged for us. certainly not very gracious." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the eavesdroppers?' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Never,' said I. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short spare." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to his chemical studies. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose."