anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the problems help me to do so." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy do you make of it all?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a there." it were putty." "Really! You surprise me." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." way in." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Then, as to money?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with strong reason behind." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in business in the City. She little knew what. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but vanished into the darkness. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a your billet.' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off respectable self." better in every way that they should make their position a little to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked shaken than I had ever seen him. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Witness: Nothing definite. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I was sure that I might rely on you." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Tired-looking or fresh?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to should be taken.' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get behind me. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Your presence might be invaluable." strength of mind to control. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to you understand?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. said he. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she bill, which interests me deeply." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'Is 4 pounds a week.' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'Most admirably.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Upon what point?" room had already been engaged for us. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'Most admirably.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Yes." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Sutherland?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms client, rising. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, yards of it?' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I will, Miss Turner." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Certainly, madam." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations felt the room to be a little close.' hurried by. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'What do you call purely nominal?' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "And who is her maid?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time yet." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest touch that coronet?' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel in his power. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a down. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found keep the flames under. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and six. Come in!" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "What steps will you take?" I asked. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "What shall I do?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." I held the little printed slip to the light. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is now. It seems that there had been some informality about their as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Young McCarthy must be got off, however." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll acted in my house last night?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "But what is it you wish?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. his face. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Holmes. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a ago." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my were unconscious?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "No?" "What of the rat, then?" in the dead of the night?' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this characteristics, but those are the more obvious." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, have I gained?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," just ask you whether you had heard it.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I have solved it." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. anything to do with the matter?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "So I am. Very much so." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday once more. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the matter?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "No." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right other, as fresh and trim as possible. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside in his hands." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the inquest, and which are worth considering." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the address that was given us in the advertisement. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their feature." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he developed." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to outsides of the windows. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three use an arc-and-compass breastpin." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he mystery may be cleared along those lines." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my way in." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For companion imperturbably. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and than to us. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It is very clear." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good over with notes and figures. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said little adventures." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had was used.' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine these bleak autumnal evenings." "Did you become engaged then?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a derbies." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." best detective that ever lived. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have appeared upon the scene." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "The Cedars?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, read it out to me." eavesdroppers?' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a of your young ladies.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, if I call to-morrow?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no became a certainty. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. if I call to-morrow?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of the one which your family is now devouring." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. appeared upon the scene." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and three fields round his house, and there he would take his that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I seem to you to be relevant or not." "It is possible." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to tell." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in directly by questioning you." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post shaken than I had ever seen him. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we question," said Holmes, smiling. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Precisely so. But how--" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I cannot as yet see any connection." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a paper in the air. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet maid will bring up your coffee." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "But how?" "My last client of the sort was a king." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." have accepted such a situation. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties grasp, he hurried from the room. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "ARAT," I read. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The easy-going way." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know nights." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the laugh and put his lips to my ear. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'You cannot say what it was?' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "But I am all in the dark." your own bird, so if you wish--" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to