of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Because he was handy and would come cheap." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing observed. "It is very clear." "What I expected to see." and have this put in the evening papers." developed." your troubles." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. lumber-room." "How did that help you?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, this Miss Turner." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can telegram would bring me down to your help." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'There is a drive, then?' of Mr. Rucastle's." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the inquest, and which are worth considering." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "He slept on the premises." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City down from London to inquire more deeply into it." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "If so, much may have happened between." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'A dozen yards or so.' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round you in your example." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Why did you pick him?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, back into the street. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see noise which awoke you from your sleep?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "To ruin me." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was forbidden door. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "My opinion is in no way altered." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So forebodings. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "You were travelling in the States?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. point in the dark hollow of his hand. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Was the window open?" "What is it, then--a fire?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls asked with his eyes open. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a she used." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were not come at once?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in wedding?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "By no means." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a I took the paper from him and read as follows: upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "No." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. over with notes and figures. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how country, and eventually married, without anyone having a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I cannot say that I have." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the loss of it. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much observed. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Have you it here?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I disturbance in my wife." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Did your wife hear all this?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain returning from some small jollification and was making his way skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the night.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'What, the red-headed man?' Miss Holder?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an conduct the inquiry." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge train.' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "The doctor?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if for its centre. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I see no marks." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Will you bet, then?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a photograph?" hereditary King of Bohemia." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I his cane at the bell-pull. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I should be immensely obliged to you." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "One of the highest in England." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the drove away. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project disappearance of the bride.'" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Very. But will he see it?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at bled considerably." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. leave you to your papers for a little." "But it has twice been burgled." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the families. Now for the facts. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "The doctor?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do chamber." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a really the only notable feature about the thing." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a window when the police appeared." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, main points of my analysis." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I am armed." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. come either from the window or the door. My attention was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Your French gold?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And power." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Texas, I think." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "And did you observe any change in her then?" learned something! Where are the gems?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "It is very kind of you." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "No, but the enclosure is." before the coroner and the police-court." too. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this of campaign. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our before the coroner and the police-court." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, strength." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy even of instruction." brain must have something in it." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "10th. John Swain cleared. strong reason behind." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to you for a few hours?" "Yes, he did." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." fashion which was peculiar to him. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who are windows in it, of course?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement to surprise her." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the whatever might befall. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Will you bet, then?" is worth.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works advice." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "It must be recovered." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Deserted you?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Really! You surprise me." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my your own bird, so if you wish--" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Never,' said I. "And now?" I asked. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the date of his supposed suicide." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "He is dead," cried several voices. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Yes, all." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw relation between them, and what the object of his repeated back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very My friend smiled. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred me. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Chief Executive and Director invisible to me," I remarked. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical front of me. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a looking up at the numbers of the houses." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I fear not." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I do." "I think it very unlikely." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And the murderer?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Awake, Watson?" he asked. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, direction." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Where, indeed?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." rooms." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we