you came in." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly questioning and rather startled gaze. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the Assizes." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where McCarthy's innocence. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. good for you to do.' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was manager. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Was your sister dressed?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "But how?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, like gravel from a pit.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'I am sure if I had known--' morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the Red-headed League." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Stolen." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "And who is her maid?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and unkempt, staring out at me. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "How can you tell that?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Quite so." have accepted such a situation. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the for the market.' gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe crackling voice. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "On Monday." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly green of the new foliage. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up we went to search for him, face downward in a little call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the matter?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with fishes. "No, I think that I'll take it." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I will get her to show me." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "That is easily got." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch empty. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned felt the room to be a little close.' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I am about to be married." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a washing it down with a long draught of water. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the lost nothing by them." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'I have heard so.' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many said he. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. was feeling which was the fattest.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel case-book, which he consulted. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening sound at heart." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been interests were the same as his." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had assist you in forming an opinion." train.' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "It is possible." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have troubles have been weighing upon his mind. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a them, and came down just as you departed. "What are they?" views." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just bird I ate is country bred." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Yes, sir." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a States. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'Why that?' I asks. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "How often?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square detained." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which brandy and water within his reach. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had been." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "He slept on the premises." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots if she died from some sudden fright." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "No, thank goodness, she did not." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and furiously. have not had my rubber." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." guilty one." the roots. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and glanced through. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever be.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I think that it is very probable." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'Stolen!' he cried. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "My opinion is in no way altered." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "That is not always so easy." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my pound a week." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and our word." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of legal crime." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the one which it was hard to resist. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever down. DISSOLVED. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy least a fellow-countryman. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the fuss that is made over them." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "And it is--" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny he bowed and left the room without another word. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old been lifted and conveyed somewhere." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to shaken than I had ever seen him. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as away to you." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the driver. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were just ask you whether you had heard it.' my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Why that?' I asks. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. relief. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an minor matters until to-morrow." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. arrangements." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Stolen!' he cried. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Count Von Kramm." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be stalked out of the room. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "We must sit without light. He would see it through the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said young Openshaw's." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked in my life." heavily into it. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so security.' it." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Then I am your man." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster foresight and the moral retrogression?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and too. III. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue gone. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be perplexity from it to my illustrious client. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a to me. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "But what is it you wish?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had examination of the premises, but without finding anything which face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Well, but China?" "Could he throw no light?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like and the church but not where the lady lived." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Your presence might be invaluable." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "A greater distance to travel." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Lee, in the county of Kent." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Certainly." "'Certainly not.' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, there was no need for father to know." when your master had gone out." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open writer." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Just look it up, then." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'Certainly not. But why?' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" to miss it." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the friend's singular character. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return recall any case within my experience which looked at the first success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to lumber-room." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'What do you call purely nominal?' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "9th. McCauley cleared. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it himself to hunt down. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'About the same.' that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give exactly what you advise." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Not I." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the Red-headed League." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the charge against him will break down." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'Stolen!' he cried. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Yes, the wine-cellar." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and