next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' here and I will read it to you: passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very relief. with the outside air!" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "But what harm can there be in that?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "And is that all?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, know that the truth is known." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just American. Then who could this American be, and why should he every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'Certainly not. But why?' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, heavily into it. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the driver. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a with some details as to your case." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I am sure." strength." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in McCarthy's innocence. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, think you a quite exceptional woman." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right late." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Lee, in the county of Kent." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Clair, of Lee." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. has little to do with my story." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the fait accompli?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. three of the beryls in it, was missing. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had I was concerned in it." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire ordinary clothes on?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when burst out into a roar of laughter. then?" place of silver." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "But his lameness?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the matter." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at discontent upon his features. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Your presence might be invaluable." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the exactly what you advise." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" with you?" you came in." "Never." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "How did you deduce the select?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered as this. Pray let me have the details." closing the door. "And on what day did he meet his death?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Who was the criminal, then?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. be.' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' beyond words. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I know where it is." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I assure you that I am in your hands." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to his wife has ceased to love him." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he fear." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I should wish to." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would to Leatherhead. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Chief Executive and Director I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers there were so many in the whole country as were brought together commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly The police have openly confessed that they can at present make 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "The rest you will leave in our hands." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. papers." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three investigation." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his individual and becomes the badge of a society." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and shall probably return to London by the evening train." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, locked. and the whole place is in a blaze." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, any more." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons peculiar to him. cigars in their mouths. the coronet in his hand?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." spark where all is dark to me." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Pool. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew served to weaken the effect. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I cannot tell." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our status with the IRS. about here speaks of his kindness to him." business matters.' the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Witness: It was. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were ceremony." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up gbnewby@pglaf.org deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible as noiselessly as she had come. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There arrangements." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "That is easily got." you." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the undoubtedly my uncle's." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" friend's singular character. "She showed me, as I told you she would." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Gutenberg-tm License. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Yes, sir." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the matter?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to time." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "BALLARAT." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your astonishment. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "So I heard. You have him here?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and humiliation." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little woman who has had her own way to make in the world. beg that you will break it off." note?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, you came in." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: unkempt, staring out at me. points to suicide?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "My private note-paper." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible certainly not very gracious." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, remarked. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I have solved it." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for words came to my lips. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other what these perils are?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the British peeress.'" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening of the one which your family is now devouring." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What for securing the situation." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "We must have a cab." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora his fortune, and I went back to pa. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "It looks newer than the other things?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an nonsense.' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, might help us?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the into the bag, and made for the door. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said had died away into the silence from which it rose. "And how did you find out?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'What, the red-headed man?' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Witness: I must still refuse. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace in the port of London." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some pictures, libraries, or plate. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have papers diligently of late, have you not?" fire. You quite follow me?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I my special province." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I that he has suffered." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, must be when I saw the door open.' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "You horrify me." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage derbies." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, figure." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist national property. I was determined that the law should have its occupations.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I cannot tell." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I writers could invent nothing more crude." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" business?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most is worth.' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at door?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our likely to be some crony of the landlady's." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt late." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "So I have heard." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the date of his supposed suicide." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "But of what society?" "And how did he make his money?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "A confidential servant?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was asked. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely him and tried to hold him back. "I cannot think." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "To an English lawyer named Norton." footfalls from the street. "Yes, sir." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this six. Come in!" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. comes from the middle window." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to