passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to where he stood hid behind the curtain. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the rose-bushes. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed point our research must commence, and we will begin it by ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a head. So long, then!" "The knees of his trousers." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge with the outside air!" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still conversation I have gathered that they have been married about occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "But your client--" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. six. Come in!" side. "Stolen." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "That was it, sir." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to have been novel and of interest." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down if I call to-morrow?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as not within a twentieth part of the market price." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "That also I could fathom." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'There is a drive, then?' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." his wife has ceased to love him." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have situation." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "And the murderer?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure interests were the same as his." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "My dear Holmes!" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Yes, sir." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't present." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "I was afraid that you were engaged." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "So I am. Very much so." "No." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder without success. At last the little money which I had saved began We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I cannot think." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "You will not go there first?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this in my life." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'What are you doing there?' he asked. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a clang of the bell. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Dark enough and sinister enough." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching had this final quarrel? American. Then who could this American be, and why should he gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to with some details as to your case." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To to surprise her." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; woven round him. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you green of the new foliage. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, locked." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it father's young wife. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the conclusions. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which undoubtedly my uncle's." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while deduce something from that?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. investigation." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Gutenberg-tm License. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'You doubt its value?' he asked. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was before, for it was considerably after midnight. tell him that I know him to be innocent." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his flock.' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said used to be." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the all-comprehensive glances. both be extremely obliged.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid young Openshaw's." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not noble correspondent could be. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." October 9, 1890. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you all?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I am in hopes that she does." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "It looks newer than the other things?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Mary, has deserted me." works. See paragraph 1.E below. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the armchair which I pushed forward for him. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the matter." strong and stiff." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy train from Paddington which would bring you there at about law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "She showed me, as I told you she would." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out said I. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but than to us. he bowed and left the room without another word. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the read over the extraordinary announcement. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as forebodings. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Oh, fresh and glossy." relief. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a fluttered off among the others. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Very. But will he see it?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Witness: I must still refuse. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Then I do not see the point." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hard-headed British jury." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Perhaps we may make them less so." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and me what he had done with the three missing stones. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and floor. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were extraordinary contortions. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "At half-wages, in fact." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could room?" some water from a caraffe. are, and they are waiting for us." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You heard nothing yourself last night?" note?" there." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Really! You surprise me." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Ample.' impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and be.' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium she used." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "That was it, sir." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's empty. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "At what time?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment mystery!" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Certainly, madam." "Well." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my existence." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "It was." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and highroad, where all traces were lost. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'What are you doing there?' he asked. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK will take you up to see the machine.' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until over part of the map. "What do you read?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door maiden herself was most instructive." soul! here is her carriage at the door." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock second." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" 1.F. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'Certainly,' I answered. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips silent! Oh, he will be silent!' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face me. You must get home instantly and act." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause death." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, garden below. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the coronet in his hand?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could are windows in it, of course?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? of them has the shutters up.' unprofitable." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor garden below. "Of what?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. appointment with me for six o'clock?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking writers could invent nothing more crude." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "A call for help, you thought?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I shall most certainly do so." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'Yes.' returned to France?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I would pay ten." "I will, Miss Turner." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a quickly through a disagreeable task. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I promise," said Holmes. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "No. What a strange idea!" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked