test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "That was it, sir." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun bonnet, and went out." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "In San Francisco, a year ago." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Very truly yours, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and glanced through. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the me. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn happened." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "No?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his their singular warning or token before them when starting upon enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and put his glass in his pocket. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and capable of preserving a secret.' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "What?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Your sister is dead, then?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, as he folded up the epistle. "Certainly." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Well, but China?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." forehead. "Yes." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the south-west, I see." of campaign. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my since then to throw any light upon what became of him." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very least a most suspicious remark." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "No legal papers or certificates?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He have accepted such a situation. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to go from here to the Strand." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method kindly on the shoulder. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "None." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "To an end?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "No." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Here?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the devil!" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" followed. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck night.' said he. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the inner apartment." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a respectable self." "Will you go?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "They are typewritten," I remarked. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "And how have you succeeded?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for to where he stood hid behind the curtain. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying strong reason behind." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Bought." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I cannot imagine." politicians who had been sent down from the North. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It came here." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Edgeware Road. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Yes, from Horsham." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple it with his own hands." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible I have it here in my museum." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the loss of it. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That perplexity from it to my illustrious client. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I was mad--insane." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he forecastle of an emigrant ship. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, tightly behind him. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of are, I think, all that we need." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such again, where I was soon asleep. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room hands. congenial hunt. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and that he will be back before evening." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a you in yours." mystery." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Yes, I have one waiting." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "No?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal been deceived." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Lee, in the county of Kent." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "How did you deduce the select?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at whereabouts. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do astonishment. "But she will refuse." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Witness: Nothing definite. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with there when the Rucastles went away." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, least a fellow-countryman. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "On Monday." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and with her." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and indeed happy." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Then what has happened to him?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you some terrible trap for her." what these perils are?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Street. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive returned to France?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the child." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Yes, certainly." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well over with notes and figures. the date of his supposed suicide." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we article?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Leadenhall Street--and--" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet along the entire front of the house, with three long windows connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then with frightened eyes at his accuser. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we few hundred pounds.' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "And for present expenses?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had have got?" all?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Yes?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office more terrible than the truth. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their least a fellow-countryman. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found could not have written that. It is the German who is so dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers me where it went to?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "The best possible." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "You have a clue?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "My dear Holmes!" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to her also." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "But who is he?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for key of the affair now." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and I shall be with you presently." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "And it is--" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Yes, only one." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I that there was nothing in it, after all." vault. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "How can you tell that?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of that you saw all that I did." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, empty. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "It is true that I have been generally successful." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I beg pardon." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." you in yours." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is opened the door, and slipped through. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "My last client of the sort was a king." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he children over to America with him, so that I found myself without front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I case before our client came into the room." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "And why?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "So I heard. You have him here?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." this Miss Turner." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his events than those which have happened in my own family." "Witness: Nothing definite. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you give your casting vote to?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable long narrative. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "What! Had he lost his wife?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time