bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich envelope. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. my former friend and companion. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the tell me that you intended to go into harness." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I am to be neutral?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "My own seal." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were gbnewby@pglaf.org done what I asked you, Jones?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "And you can do nothing until then?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Certainly." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the you understand?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the look dissatisfied." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was she might be summoned. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could happened." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Never,' said I. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the running down." "Come in!" said he. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey highly," said Holmes. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' bird of prey. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of such attractions and accomplishments?' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "You don't mind breaking the law?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his fasten all the windows?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the of them has the shutters up.' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came pictures, libraries, or plate. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You are all wrong." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a less than 26s. 4d. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if this as likely?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the What do you deduce from it?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I his eyes and forehead. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but such person." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. which are rolled in Rotterdam." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which out." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my husband's writing, madam." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting results." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Not him." "No, finished." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in not fit the lock." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At get her out of the way." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "And from a noble client?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman is four-and-twenty." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it bird of prey. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had My friend smiled. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a lamp. "But you can know nothing of this?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do heavy and sharp instrument." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely observed. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple more solid." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the coronet in his hand?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round hurried away. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the station." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "No." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and awaited us upon the table. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it in a very precise fashion." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He him to go away.' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing there when the Rucastles went away." "He said too much." "So I have heard." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Foundation should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such speckled band?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Was she in good spirits?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should but preventing her from injuring another. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" shaken than I had ever seen him. "And did you observe any change in her then?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "And that is--" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a me. You must get home instantly and act." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be only touch the interest." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Countess of Morcar's?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'Where to?' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. that "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "No, but the enclosure is." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my page at http://pglaf.org Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and no precautions can guard against." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the with you alone." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the running down." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Yes?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "How did that help you?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sentimental considerations in the background which would induce chill to my heart. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us dates and names. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'Very good.' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "But she could not love him." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in friend's singular character. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Yes." "My own seal." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has conceal it?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just not fit the lock." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "She will not sell." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it information in his hands the value of which he did not himself lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I see many objections to any such theory." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving appeal." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to were wasted." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who breakfast and whispered something to her husband. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I beg pardon." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the bedroom door." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a becomes even more simple." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the maiden herself was most instructive." evidence," I remarked. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads singular points about the case. What did the police think of the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "A confidential servant?" "And help." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. His name is Francis Prosper." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "None. Neville wrote those words." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had arrested. You then--" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the little opening for the ventilator is." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Can I be of assistance?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows money should be paid at once.' "And for present expenses?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely despair." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "What can you not understand?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp as he folded up the epistle. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Look there!" said he. "Proceed, then." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Here?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, to arrive at through this?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I to surprise her." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, said he. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in coroner's jury." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could his wife has ceased to love him." "I am still in the dark." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." roused himself from his reverie. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very me have 200 pounds?' to tell." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'Is 4 pounds a week.' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the yet." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well depend upon my doing so.' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'Certainly not.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is gone. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' keep the flames under. Sutherland?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some burst out into a roar of laughter. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, business in the City. She little knew what. important." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor