became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her figure." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your undoubtedly my uncle's." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' was lame." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "No bad?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood possible that we could bring him back to her? smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "What steps will you take?" I asked. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is a little more before I quite committed myself. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Witness: Nothing definite. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very extraordinary contortions. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "The Cedars?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did and put his glass in his pocket. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to one's self under obligations.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting night.' said he. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You me, and I could not think that his explanation of the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. never came back." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "In heaven's name, what for?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not out of this horrible affair." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as would then never go into court at all." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I don't say that. Perhaps." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'Why that?' I asks. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already London for the present?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it answer." are, I think, all that we need." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was in one or two places in England?' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or next day. to talk it over. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'Where to?' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not you do it in twenty minutes!' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the province." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I have hopes." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at least a most suspicious remark." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland investigation." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "And how did he make his money?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no congratulate you again." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Holmes' thin, eager face. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Pray be precise as to details," said he. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence disturbance in my wife." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Precisely." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" second window is the one that I jumped from." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing never came back." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely once more. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both morning." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "What! a murderous attack?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of unprecedented a position." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes late!' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Why did you beat the pavement?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased sneer upon his pale face. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. your only hope of safety." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Was she in good spirits?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Eh? What was that?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Holmes' face clouded over. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about persecution?" row." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an gives a meaning to it." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to to arrive at through this?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he one of the states of the Union." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there went to the Alpha were town bred." "It missed him, then?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a secret." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John in my life." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Where does the thing come from?' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Eyford." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I would pay ten." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all returning from some small jollification and was making his way five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but photograph?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, tension within him. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "ARAT," I read. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by derbies." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "In San Francisco, a year ago." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "How can you tell that?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Holmes." unkempt, staring out at me. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond desk. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Will you bet, then?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "He might." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable that you wished to speak to me?' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few your equipment. occurred." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "9th. McCauley cleared. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the infinite languor in his face. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should outbreak?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Yes, only one." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "My private note-paper." question. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It is half-past ten now." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Where does the thing come from?' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I am sure." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Where did you address your letters, then?" client, rising. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, is four-and-twenty." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "What then?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away what do you think they found in the pockets?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "You have the photograph?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be fact, we may call it conclusive." "It certainly sounds feasible." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he cheerful." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I have a cab outside." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, fuss that is made over them." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "She walked into the breakfast-room." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are again on its way. one's self under obligations.' or in danger--" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the allusion to a rat. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me you." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'Oh, no.' have an American origin." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "When did she vanish, then?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very criminal. We have already had experience of such." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me anything to do with the matter?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's lids now and glanced across at his visitor. your only hope of safety." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight like gravel from a pit.' "What shall I do?" "Very truly yours, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was yet." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and prosperity to your house. Good-night." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. was lame." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning spare." "And your mother is alive?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Yes." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "And now?" He raised his hand. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to clanging. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and