fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, national property. I was determined that the law should have its the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Leadenhall Street--and--" to change my dress. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, you in yours." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his occupations.' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be awaited us upon the table. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much client, rising. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Was your sister dressed?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an at my own good fortune. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and writer." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done place of silver." answer." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us invisible to me," I remarked. "Which are?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "He might." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "My dear Holmes!" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its quick march!" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Holmes' face clouded over. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "And why?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even me have 200 pounds?' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'As governess?' you want, then?' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few ceremony." http://gutenberg.net/license). work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus character. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the presented more singular features than that which was associated "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Has he come with you to-night?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You heard nothing yourself last night?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised chance." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send good for you to do.' 1.F. Edgeware Road. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Sutherland. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "The gentleman I describe." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Then I shall certainly come." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "And how in the world did you find them?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof might help us?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not just ask you whether you had heard it.' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Look there!" said he. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." observed. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were key turn in the lock." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she back into the street. "I never have." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner politicians who had been sent down from the North. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged breakfast?" all that?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "She will not sell." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a bled considerably." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Was the window open?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble out of this horrible affair." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? is now desirous of getting those letters back." the coronet in his hands?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to that you can jump it.' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. affair. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no his knees, staring into the fire. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Thank you. And your address?" returned to France?" "And how did you find out?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Heh?' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "It is possible." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat forebodings. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this she has been waylaid. There has been no result." neither fascinating nor artistic." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "To an end?" IS it." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was infinite languor in his face. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Well?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some again." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One status with the IRS. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the interests were the same as his." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "How did you deduce the select?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately delighted to hear it," he said. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent careless servant girl?" door?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "But who is he?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the house with me." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" ashen face. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing legal crime." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in which it had come upon my father." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "VIOLET HUNTER." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "None." my secret was safe in his possession. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "How about poison?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in client, rising. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical cigars in their mouths. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Nor running a chance of arrest?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "She will not sell." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, look dissatisfied." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version your Highness to the police-station?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered page at http://pglaf.org "I say that I have solved it." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a with you?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the garden below. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of said Mr. Holder. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'Most admirably.' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such be there in time for your coming." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "It is no ordinary one." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the address that was given us in the advertisement. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I read it out to me." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "And I say east," said my patient. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Do you know him?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in come either from the window or the door. My attention was southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon main points of my analysis." "The doctor?" me where it went to?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never so far?" bonnet, and went out." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been it with his own hands." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. him and tried to hold him back. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, away to you." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the companion imperturbably. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy that, and I came down." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Holmes. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Entirely." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin clanging. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much foot. humiliation." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Did you observe the colour?" trying to your nerves." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "No sign of it?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted relief. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." used to be." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By standing smiling on the door-step. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Could he throw no light?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Stoke Moran." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' said he at last. "Married! When?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of be best to do. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "No, thank goodness, she did not." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come status with the IRS. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist