"When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "But not more so than I to find you." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he events, Mr. Windibank!" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and I shall be with you presently." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting guilty parties." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to where we are going." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Have you her photograph?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in room?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Do you know him?" Again Holmes raved in the air. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "What, then?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in any little problem which you may submit to me." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "It looks newer than the other things?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of dramatic, in fact." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs that you can jump it.' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as begun to whiten, even as mine has." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of murdered man." house for five minutes.' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Eyford at 11:15.' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of unprofitable." of receipt of the work. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have means taking possession of that which another person has a prior What do you deduce from it?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "And I to find an enemy." the driver. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless she has been waylaid. There has been no result." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether have had none more fantastic than this." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Entirely." gone. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is him to be an active member of the medical profession." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle me upon any point which I do not make clear." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself intrusion of other matters." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was his knees, staring into the fire. over here." just called myself is not exactly my own." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "It may not come to that," said Holmes. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which your bag." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards promised to bring home. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed particular state visit http://pglaf.org visitors." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most indeed which he could not unravel. a little more before I quite committed myself. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "My opinion is in no way altered." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer foresight and the moral retrogression?" all-comprehensive glances. closely." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "My dear Holmes!" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I am still in the dark." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly friend's singular character. "I fear not." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence whether it answered to the description of any of their come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "My opinion is in no way altered." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and that I may have something better before very many minutes are and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" fire. You quite follow me?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Yes." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? status with the IRS. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I will get her to show me." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I photograph?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out I nodded to show that I had heard. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I beg pardon." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and think that any burglar could have done. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and of them has the shutters up.' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "In what way?" asked Holmes. shaken than I had ever seen him. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "No, I think that I'll take it." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my to his chemical studies. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in absorbing." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during present." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Never.' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only matters immensely." "Yes, he did." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I will, Miss Turner." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name away to you." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "You horrify me!" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a he. wanted for ourselves." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his that, and I came down." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you laugh and put his lips to my ear. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I cannot tell." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with directly by questioning you." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in that you can jump it.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Nothing." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "My dear Holmes!" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your sake, don't!" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to call you and give you the chance." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the begun to whiten, even as mine has." Clair, of Lee." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I have solved it." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as it. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection For additional contact information: "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did is entirely a question of barometric pressure." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Only as much as we can deduce." unclasping of his long thin hands. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Just look it up, then." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Then you may be so with me." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns acquaintance?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all there is a decided draught." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical signal between you and your father? father's place of business?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Yes." "Have you it here?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Yes, at the mines." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was morning." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing companion. been deceived." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it undoubtedly my uncle's." secret." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Could he throw no light?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Why serious?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so future lives." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of congenial hunt. "Then I do not see the point." carpenter." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to have one." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, at a side door. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "And what then?" "I have solved it." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. written. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is himself in a perplexing position. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "And why?" "And what did you see?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able then?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, to-night?' should be so warm over such a trifle." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." behind me. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and are, I think, all that we need." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and the colonel ushered me in. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of time." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must detective. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "But you were on a friendly footing?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "You are hungry," I remarked. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "What! Had he lost his wife?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'Certainly,' I answered. and put his glass in his pocket. residence of the great financier. fled together." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I answered that I had not. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into think you a quite exceptional woman." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb thin, with a long, sharp nose?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some directors, with the result that you have seen." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and