than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such likely to be some crony of the landlady's." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Well." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Texas, I think." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled what do you think they found in the pockets?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year thin, with a long, sharp nose?" conceal it?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the window, rose as we entered. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Deserted you?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon power." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast photograph a cabinet?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, standing smiling on the door-step. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this had formerly been in part my own. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and effective." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "There are none." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "We must have a cab." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to felt?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little is a common subject for conversation. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle prove to be little relation between the different incidents of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to mystery." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Where, then?" joking. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Precisely." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." be. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the morning and make my own way in the world.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body some water from a caraffe. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as is four-and-twenty." "Your sister is dead, then?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." own family. nonsense.' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Clair, of Lee." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "A call for help, you thought?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a minor matters until to-morrow." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I was sure that I might rely on you." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told matter." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or http://gutenberg.net/license). settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Nor running a chance of arrest?" crowd. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of mysterious business." "I cannot tell." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord for securing the situation." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which spark where all is dark to me." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I south, for the country is more deserted there." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the highroad, where all traces were lost. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "By no means." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still more solid." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "No, I had a dozen." in darkness. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "She showed me, as I told you she would." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Your presence might be invaluable." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "What!" he roared. cause to be." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country best detective that ever lived. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He yet." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Stolen." "I see no marks." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after was feeling which was the fattest.' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Come in!" said he. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared were wasted." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I say it is." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "If I can be of use." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A posted to-day." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Certainly." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Well?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'Oh, no.' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. writing, and yet I know it well." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "It's nothing of the kind." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your information in his hands the value of which he did not himself mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Holmes' face clouded over. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether tightly behind him. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his new duties?' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if in this note: remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Yes, I promise.' narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon politicians who had been sent down from the North. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I have come for advice." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "My opinion is in no way altered." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the address that was given us in the advertisement. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Was he the only applicant?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in mystery may be cleared along those lines." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my province." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little breakfast?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked You can understand that this register and diary may implicate room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that eavesdroppers?' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of and that he would see to anything that turned up. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no acquaintance?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of redistribution. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Very murderous indeed." the morning and make my own way in the world.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. one else, I think." "I am sure." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, my little problems." such attractions and accomplishments?' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Watson," he said cordially. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "So I am. Very much so." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as during the last few years, and there are many noble families to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and glanced through. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our orange pips. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Ample.' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "And why?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow meant." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would went to the Alpha were town bred." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which bare slabs of marble. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time not within a twentieth part of the market price." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Yes, sir." new acquaintance to Baker Street. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "What have you to say now?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "You think so, too?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by which we had just quitted. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father carpenter." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a fasten all the windows?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good rooms." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be horse could go." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a of your young ladies.' the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made prisoner's face. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue gives a meaning to it." I held the little printed slip to the light. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "But she will refuse." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "And how did he make his money?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Entirely.' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" strong reason behind." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted cost them two and thirty pounds." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same