"You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Won't it ring?" than to us. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small shoulder; "he's all right." think that he is innocent?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of Mr. Rucastle's." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a public press." must compliment you." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Yes." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Holmes rather sternly. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I will, Miss Turner." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since tell him that I know him to be innocent." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Yes, but only for you and me." occupations.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the bed, and you in that chair." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking a suggestive one." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between made him keep the appointment." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the and wait." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the general public were present, then?" the child." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the obstinate." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. husband's writing, madam." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it digesting their breakfasts at home." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Doctor, of the paper and the date." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the best of training." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Why? What do you mean?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself that I am arrested." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "And you can do nothing until then?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Heh?' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "It came here." my room." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "And why?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in developed." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite habit of advancing money.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "What then?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the 1.F. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have friend's singular character. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both is worth.' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'I shall certainly be there.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered emerged. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger in a friendly supper." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "And that is--" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and only touch the interest." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It is possible." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Has he come with you to-night?" I have it here in my museum." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive present." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not only touch the interest." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution someone who had been in Australia." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Precisely." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very that you wished to speak to me?' with the outside air!" behind me. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should beyond words. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing that I am arrested." made his money." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question into the room. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you that I am arrested." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "What! a murderous attack?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "My dear Holmes!" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "To an end?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite have been better. It is all right." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. address. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Did your wife hear all this?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'Yes.' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Not particularly." pierced for earrings?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. respectable self." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was breakfast." "Who by?" chill to my heart. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "How about poison?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "What?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Absolutely none." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his waste of energy." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Was your sister dressed?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic business in the City. She little knew what. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'Oh, no.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed nothing with him." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I think that it is very probable." new duties?' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, everything which you would wish to know." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, it." straighten it?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled handed it to him. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. and I shall be with you presently." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I ago." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable been." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, nonsense.' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the driver. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your sentimental considerations in the background which would induce black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at For additional contact information: "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, waste of energy." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Breckinridge is his name." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "At the wedding breakfast." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the from you?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very voice, changing her seat as requested. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" here and I will read it to you: hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that mystery may be cleared along those lines." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had what do you think they found in the pockets?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "10th. John Swain cleared. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my washing it down with a long draught of water. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot arrangements." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the what I may call a really hard day's work." "Perhaps I have." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook papers." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are this as likely?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered said he, "my real name is James Ryder." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Then, as to money?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in time." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning at home. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Then what has happened to him?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: so.' astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Perhaps I have." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Thank you. Pray proceed." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and furiously. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Yes." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name 'I should be able to look after that for you.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she stood on the top of it. some water from a caraffe. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless of his shoulders. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this certainly not very gracious." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever