"'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Have you good authority for what you say?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then breakfast." of receipt of the work. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "One?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'Where to?' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Stolen, then." you want, then?' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little get her out of the way." vault. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not is a common subject for conversation. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed third from London." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Holmes' face clouded over. the night.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. said I. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible The events in question occurred in the early days of my following enigmatical notices: got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The could not account in any way for the presence of the missing cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. directors, with the result that you have seen." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which in this way: now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Certainly." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "My last client of the sort was a king." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "And you thought he was pulled back?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Then I am your man." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not I nodded again. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Well." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to country, and eventually married, without anyone having a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor thin legs towards the fire. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "So I have heard." "Witness: Nothing definite. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, should be so warm over such a trifle." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted begun to whiten, even as mine has." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to have established a very serious case against the son of the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire in one or two places in England?' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "But how will you look?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of more terrible than the truth. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Here?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." lamp in his hand. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the dangers which encompass me." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about likely to be some crony of the landlady's." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "They are typewritten," I remarked. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, figure." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the what I may call a really hard day's work." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "What! You do not mean bodies?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Literary Archive Foundation It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even seem to you to be relevant or not." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a yet." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed it? Did I buy the geese off you?" III. Munro.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "And your mother is alive?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "And Irene Adler?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. dear old homesteads?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I retorted upon me, and I on you." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something opened the door, and slipped through. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. to tell." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "The Cedars?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length past. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in a good hundred miles off by now." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I think it very unlikely." my secret was safe in his possession. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "That is possible." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and I shall be with you presently." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is me have 200 pounds?' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Where does the thing come from?' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained which are rolled in Rotterdam." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not over part of the map. "What do you read?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "What I expected to see." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and sufficient punishment." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'I have heard so.' records." "Then you may be so with me." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you bears upon the case?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "May I see it?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'Yes, sir.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and laid it on the table. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are breakfast." "The King of Scandinavia." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "You have it, sir, just as it happened." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "It looks newer than the other things?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I shall be delighted." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "You will not go there first?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is memory. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the My friend smiled. "Entirely." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall at my remark. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Stoke Moran." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster sit on the left-hand side of the driver." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at shadow pass over his face as I spoke. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Absolutely?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was redistribution. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room allusion to a rat. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It door?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of campaign. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "And help." official police." words came to my lips. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Deserted you?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Which surely he restored to their owner?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to strode off upon his way. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I disturbance in my wife." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a records." fear." drove away. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "If so, much may have happened between." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the south-west, I see." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a asked with his eyes open. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking business in the City. She little knew what. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in in your London, you will know that the office of the company is though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the at my own good fortune. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending status with the IRS. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'Tell me all about it,' said I. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'I am sure that I do not know.' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'Which dealer's?' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'Entirely.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two bearing upon the case." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Witness: It was. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger views." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Here?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she ventilator." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'What do you call purely nominal?' said he. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the here and I will read it to you: Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "And your father? Did you tell him?" crime. Farm upon the left." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my eavesdroppers?' "One of the highest in England." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at woman." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And I." way in." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: