edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And what did you see?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Holmes rather sternly. hardly wander." "Yes." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Nothing?" "Entirely." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was ago." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call vanished into the darkness. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon beyond words. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY companion imperturbably. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of business?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Then I shall certainly come." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was detective. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson posted to-day." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of plantation.' he died? "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Bought." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an back alive. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life woman." indiscretion." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes from you?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, all." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "But your client--" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may money should be paid at once.' little adventures." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'Yes, I promise.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I society." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had make me his representative both with the servants and with the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' fire. You quite follow me?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from ways including including checks, online payments and credit card her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the seem to you to be relevant or not." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he depend upon my doing so.' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's annoyance, but no jest. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw your equipment. "It is half-past ten now." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is ago." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "How did you deduce the select?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Lestrade of Scotland Yard." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to stalked out of the room. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "That is unusual in a young girl." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "And I say east," said my patient. "How about poison?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Not I." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he presume?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole persecution?" "Yes, I have one waiting." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I been with you?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. Countess of Morcar's?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told me have 200 pounds?' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite fatally injured? Miss Holder?" "He might." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "One of the highest in England." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have an American origin." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "So it appears." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Yes, sir." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and that he would see to anything that turned up. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look careless servant girl?" with some details as to your case." round with crates and massive boxes. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the awkward doing business with an alias." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but cigars in the box." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "And Irene Adler?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father awkward doing business with an alias." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "It missed him, then?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "So I am. Very much so." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "In what way?" asked Holmes. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Not I." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Well." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Holmes rather sternly. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "No, my brougham is waiting." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, had formerly been in part my own. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I means taking possession of that which another person has a prior weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything up this clue while it is still hot." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Seven!" I answered. locked." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "And how?" the dangers which encompass me." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue which should have the effect of calling the attention of the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third second window is the one that I jumped from." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or and the church but not where the lady lived." look upon these things in a different way." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Eyford at 11:15.' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when his eyes and forehead. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular your billet.' bird I ate is country bred." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of III. "What I expected to see." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do to Leatherhead. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "And I to find an enemy." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a of Fenchurch Street." Edgeware Road. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "My dear Holmes!" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to go back?" strong and stiff." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria friend's singular character. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that strength." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I cannot tell." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof you in yours." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" you?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'And the work?' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden floor. "I came to find a friend." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. she to prove their authenticity?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "But it has twice been burgled." emerged. in this note: "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in he died? so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled tightly behind him. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" views." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful over here." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the door?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, imbecility!" he cried. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of his shoulders. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Of Friday, June 19th." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Yes, it would be as well." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Count Von Kramm." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a interest. They are important, you understand, without being lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "He disappeared so suddenly." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the unprecedented a position." into the room. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I matter." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "How did you trace it, then?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that purpose equally well?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must father's young wife. "But you can know nothing of this?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" at my remark. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the invisible to me," I remarked. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, humiliation." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Thank you. And your address?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between is acting for the best. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch I took the paper from him and read as follows: "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is ill-usage at the hands of fortune. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "None." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "But she will refuse." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I cannot imagine." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead front of the hall door has given its name to the place. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Then what has happened to him?" room?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint was shining brightly. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the