ventilator." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of said he at last. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Get out!" said he. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "In which, sir?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Yes." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until detained." strong and stiff." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged house for five minutes.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Come in!" said he. occurred." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face hurried by. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know upon a handsome competence. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is himself. "It's nothing of the kind." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady once more to my work. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY entirely devoid of interest." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of London for the present?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was anything to do with the matter?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he once more for Briony Lodge. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Bought." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left carried out of court." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can later, upon the night of May 2nd." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us papers diligently of late, have you not?" the coronet in his hands?" "We must have a cab." quick march!" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to it with his own hands." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "No, I am descending." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm do you make of it all?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Well, some hundreds of times." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before detained." the Red-headed League." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which cheerful." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. meant." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder bell. Holmes whistled. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble late!' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I cannot imagine." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Precisely." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you what I may call a really hard day's work." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. locked." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "What! Had he lost his wife?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can this remarkable episode. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, must be when I saw the door open.' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and your relations to her." McCarthy's innocence. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Miss Holder?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I hardly wander." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever dates and names. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I was sure that I might rely on you." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. himself to hunt down. "By train from Waterloo." "From his hat?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to breakfast." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that you wished to speak to me?' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his generous with you in money matters.' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that during that time.' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "No good news?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "But his left-handedness." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Leadenhall Street--and--" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which written, and locked the door of the office after me. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "And who is her maid?" undoubtedly my uncle's." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I something of him before." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's chair. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "No, thank goodness, she did not." imbecility!" he cried. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his in his power. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down his eyes and forehead. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I say it is." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the so-precious time, but come!' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in formed some opinion?" passage and a tap at the door. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the weary and pale-looking. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off be best to do. pictures, libraries, or plate. "It is a murder, then?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I would pay ten." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the stable lane now." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "To an English lawyer named Norton." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Not social, then?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious sentimental considerations in the background which would induce receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had to a more successful conclusion." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad quickly through a disagreeable task. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion indeed happy." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, outside. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached purpose of examination. McCarthy." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is silent! Oh, he will be silent!' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. directly by questioning you." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so acquaintance?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears be there in time for your coming." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew made him keep the appointment." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "No legal papers or certificates?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." back to my heart. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my fire. You quite follow me?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. followed. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in my little problems." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor with some details as to your case." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis do." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! populous neighbourhood." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by side. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she locked." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, conclusions. invisible to me," I remarked. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Nothing?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the mystery." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." matter." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. written. "I cannot think." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of Fenchurch Street." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." business." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "How often?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It missed him, then?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Eyford." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. married her." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Nothing." he died? other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "You saw the ventilator, too?" ran thus: to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your are, I think, all that we need." questionable one." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "But he might be a bachelor." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly http://www.gutenberg.net "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "In which, sir?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the know that the truth is known." page at http://pglaf.org questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I will do it." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "None." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. sufficient punishment." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I approached. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Oh, yes, easily." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from spare." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." success. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" was already answered. indiscretion." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from newspaper selections." "I promise," said Holmes. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they I nodded again. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the family has been subjected to such humiliation?"