and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the appointment with me for six o'clock?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I should like to see him very much." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon away in different directions, and I went off to make my own she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me whether it answered to the description of any of their in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'And what are they worth?' I asked. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Have you good authority for what you say?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, wanted for ourselves." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me you." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional went to the Alpha were town bred." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing silent! Oh, he will be silent!' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it in this way: in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was in this way: wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Of Friday, June 19th." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I congenial hunt. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father bedroom door." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "What will you say?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, father's young wife. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "A greater distance to travel." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "An accident, I presume?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent extraordinary contortions. "Who by?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It walking." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to that there was nothing in it, after all." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. bird I ate is country bred." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation which our visitor detailed to us. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a society." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but you." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "In heaven's name, what for?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey putting in the horse. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and looked back. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to sufficient punishment." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely crime." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "But how?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to annoyance, but no jest. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Will you go?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Where, indeed?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'About the same.' to Leatherhead. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all read it out to me." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Could he throw no light?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "And help." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a better grown goose." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the that, and I came down." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent handed it to him. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with at my remark. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out upon the shelf for the interim." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a you give your casting vote to?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" retorted upon me, and I on you." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "So it appears." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a John Swain, of St. Augustine. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "How about poison?" the driver. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm coroner's jury." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the business at Coburg Square is serious." dramatic, in fact." that I can to serve you." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "It is very clear." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, have not had my rubber." waste of energy." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of anything to do with the matter?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was him, that man would not have given me such complete information state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and again, where I was soon asleep. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I cannot tell." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon round with crates and massive boxes. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to have that photograph." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are intimate personal affairs in this public manner." stepfather?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so that the gas is not laid on in his house?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Perhaps we may make them less so." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it happened." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with brain must have something in it." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds such attractions and accomplishments?' "Always." with you?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Was your sister dressed?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon developed." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as be there in time for your coming." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down country, and eventually married, without anyone having a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I interest. They are important, you understand, without being "What of the rat, then?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "You are all wrong." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical sake, don't!" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, will take you up to see the machine.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the south-west, I see." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her photograph?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son entirely lost his self-respect." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And when will you call?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "I see no marks." "I cannot tell." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary must be when I saw the door open.' the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which points in connection with it which never have been, and probably as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the date of his supposed suicide." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony intrusion of other matters." eat it." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice him." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went tassel actually lying upon the pillow. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. you." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes believe that I should never have any practice at all. or other trace. But how on earth--" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is purpose of examination. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass impression behind it as though a window had gently closed How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can his grey eyes. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. families. Now for the facts. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Yes, he did." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I would pay ten." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the promised to bring home. views." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. him to be an active member of the medical profession." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. her also." of." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. this poor creature." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. know that the truth is known." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every in his power. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew with frightened eyes at his accuser. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the bed, and you in that chair." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was highly," said Holmes. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year all that?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss pressing in one house as in another. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "No, distinctly professional." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Won't it ring?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Oh, yes, easily." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." present." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" asked. stood on the top of it. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, some hundreds of times." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a way in everything. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, chair. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an very peculiar words of the dying woman?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the bed, and you in that chair." "I have seen the police." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'Then let me do so?' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "That is unusual in a young girl." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Then I am your man." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I your co-operation."