vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your leaning back in his chair. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "The murder was done with it." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates his face which made him a very different person to the round, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece hour." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "VIOLET HUNTER." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now singular points about the case. What did the police think of the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project second window is the one that I jumped from." been shamefully used." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love them?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his third from London." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before official police." arrested. You then--" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'It is locked up,' I answered. trifles." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in face and glided from the room. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you sufficient punishment." shoulder. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old straightened it out again. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a in a very precise fashion." cheerful." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," door?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "He slept on the premises." if I call to-morrow?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you chance at all." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they call the police, let the police find what they can.' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. habit of advancing money.' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Won't it ring?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice fashion which was peculiar to him. washing it down with a long draught of water. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had placed his cuttings. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in brandy and water within his reach. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to you." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family papers." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "None." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I guessed as much." during that time.' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as have not had my rubber." "My dear Holmes!" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his only touch the interest." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "From his hat?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in something of him before." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Was he the only applicant?" "How about poison?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." you." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the salesman. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Heh?' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which jewels which you have stolen?' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Clair, of Lee." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Then I do not see the point." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. mysterious end." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Well." during which he might have communicated with his friend the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Pray let us have it, for all that." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Very much so." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand crowd. crime. your billet.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting hard-headed British jury." "I should be immensely obliged to you." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed careless servant girl?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to take care of herself." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His suddenly upon us." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor get the tickets." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I think that it is very probable." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom unkempt, staring out at me. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Very much so." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the made his money." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, in his power. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but was shining brightly. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. said he. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly before the coroner and the police-court." "But you have hopes?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock my secret was safe in his possession. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the my friend's incisive reasoning. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' During two years I have had three consultations and one small thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "In answer to an advertisement." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the coronet in his hand?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. in this way: fuss that is made over them." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a national property. I was determined that the law should have its permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." telegram would bring me down to your help." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of Mr. Rucastle's." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up at my own good fortune. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly cigars in their mouths. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Who was the criminal, then?" arrested. You then--" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, dramatic, in fact." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I threw himself down with his face to the pillow. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From least a most suspicious remark." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. forecastle of an emigrant ship. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain six. Come in!" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'You cannot say what it was?' there was no need for father to know." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And why in hopes?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "In what way?" asked Holmes. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense himself. Holmes' room. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his see me here to avoid scandal." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the loss of it. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It surprised me." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "That is easily got." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. have one." or in danger--" morning." to-night?' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "You are all wrong." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It chamber." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' man. I know him from the photograph." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent for its centre. "Have you her photograph?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Ten will be early enough." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. with some details as to your case." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him answered with a sidelong glance. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "But of what society?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather rooms." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary