hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Why serious?" posted to-day." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been him, that man would not have given me such complete information This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any beg that you will break it off." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free was shining brightly. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest our word." pressing in one house as in another. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. despair." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which something of him before." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" invisible to me," I remarked. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of speckled band?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, assist you in forming an opinion." "I cannot tell." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to was a lad." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Nothing." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to very old mansion. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. bachelor.' fluttered off among the others. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and noting anything else of interest. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that for securing the situation." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down felt the room to be a little close.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Two days later this same performance was gone through under broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building wedding?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round me." "How are you getting on?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Which are?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Street. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I never have." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the armchair which I pushed forward for him. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, begun to whiten, even as mine has." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "But she could not love him." goes." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even him to go away.' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after better in every way that they should make their position a little Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many License. You must require such a user to return or amused." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was in your London, you will know that the office of the company is drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, already referred to. "So I am. Very much so." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and your relations to her." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be people don't know." was lame." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." village inn over there?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Not in a good cause." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "It is to him that this trophy belongs." was shining brightly. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "A thing like a cleaver," said he. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me constraint." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, with some details as to your case." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" six. Come in!" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set himself. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "But of what society?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the little trying to do so much typewriting?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in My friend smiled. the devil!" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with absorbing." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the other lovers by making love himself." "My dear Holmes!" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the approach us with offers to donate. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the becomes even more simple." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Quite sure, dad.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and of your young ladies.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow triumphant cloud from his cigarette. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a promised to bring home. absorbing." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "In San Francisco, a year ago." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it conversation I have gathered that they have been married about McCarthy." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My skylight. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I say it is." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to affect your life." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper assist you in forming an opinion." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Witness: Nothing definite. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so his knees, staring into the fire. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" read it out to me." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "That is not always so easy." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask indeed which he could not unravel. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'It is locked up,' I answered. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Tired-looking or fresh?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side when your master had gone out." "I am about to be married." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and wait." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I promise," said Holmes. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and house for five minutes.' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set may never be exposed to such a temptation." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy business?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of companion. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered himself to hunt down. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any future lives." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "And how did you verify them?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into careless servant girl?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Only as much as we can deduce." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Clair, of Lee." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "One of his hands." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from outside." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "The vanishing of the lady." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the figure." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally it." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. this Miss Turner." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with out of this horrible affair." client, rising. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my everything which you would wish to know." Chief Executive and Director "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms desk. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Well, it is a possible supposition." Project Gutenberg-tm works. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they digesting their breakfasts at home." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set bled considerably." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "But she could not love him." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Watson," he said cordially. and no precautions can guard against." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "The King of Scandinavia." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Was your sister dressed?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight companion imperturbably. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I have solved it." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Here?" and inquire as to the address." "What will you do, then?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double photograph?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "But I am all in the dark." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very she slowly sank and died without having recovered her himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of morning." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! events, Mr. Windibank!" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Pray do so." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to where she found matters as described by the last witness. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'Where to?' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an friends, not even his own brother. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Perfectly so." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "And the cigar-holder?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "The rest you will leave in our hands." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Precisely so. But how--" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ourselves in the office." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool.