"I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "And what did you see?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." signal between you and your father? general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "VIOLET HUNTER." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when papers." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the ceiling. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" good for you to do.' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him at my own good fortune. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an bird I ate is country bred." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "And sit in the dark?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "What do you make of that, Watson?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for a room. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had kind enough to tell me what I should do." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "They are typewritten," I remarked. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another anything to a woman, for she would have her way." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "At what time?" voice, changing her seat as requested. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon opened the door, and slipped through. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would goes." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of daring than any effort of the imagination." several quiet little villages up there." of a light. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that bonnet, and went out." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure face and glided from the room. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder like that before?" sneer upon his pale face. minor matters until to-morrow." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Seven!" I answered. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. bonnet, and went out." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away fuss that is made over them." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "It was a confession," I ejaculated. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened writing, and yet I know it well." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began back to my heart. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At meant it for the best. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social The summons was a brief and urgent one. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, breakfast." Holmes' thin, eager face. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "My private note-paper." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then constraint." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. open." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'I am sure if I had known--' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I shall most certainly do so." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. fluttered off among the others. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. said I. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I am about to be married." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Of what day?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to shaken than I had ever seen him. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the devil!" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's examine." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "How do you know, then?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet said I. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Where to?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I think that it is very probable." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "That is it on the dressing-table." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I was concerned in it." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Yes, only one." "Here?" key turn in the lock." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "In the cells." is a common subject for conversation. thought that she would have been so carried away." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to-night's adventure." "Nothing." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I shall be delighted." "Never." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be seem to you to be relevant or not." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said fattened it expressly for you.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming fasten all the windows?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to society." "'Yes.' towards the blaze. Sholtos." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the stepfather?" again before evening." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Street. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular ourselves in the office." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden that you wished to speak to me?' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As call the police, let the police find what they can.' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Project Gutenberg-tm works. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the so-precious time, but come!' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Sutherland. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of a light. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such least a most suspicious remark." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Here?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And why?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Which dealer's?' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Surrey." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and been." minor matters until to-morrow." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Well, it is a possible supposition." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an upon an income of about 60 pounds." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Yes." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "But I have heard all that you have heard." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'I have heard so.' "No." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face you?' the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. mystery may be cleared along those lines." problems help me to do so." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." golden eyeglasses. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some shoulder; "he's all right." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'And the work?' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. for the market.' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "And leave your case unfinished?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "But we can't all be." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to village inn over there?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "So I heard. You have him here?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his true." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I any." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a help us in this matter." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Game for a morning drive?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'As governess?' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "In the cells." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy through." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most http://gutenberg.net/license). "It must be recovered." you?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from friend's singular character. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Then, how do you know?" "A confidential servant?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. handed it to him. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped know that the truth is known." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was good for you to do.' Lee, in the county of Kent." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left with frightened eyes at his accuser. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "On the contrary, this is the right side." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and his fortune, and I went back to pa. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I assure you that I am in your hands." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying