Miss Holder?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he enter into my head. crime." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter completely overtopped every other consideration that we both leaning back in his chair. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the morning." "Certainly." quite distinctive." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his States. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her nonsense.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER present strange and interesting features that it is no easy lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Nothing." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I cannot imagine." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "You think so, too?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "And how did you find out?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at helping a boy to put up the shutters. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, orange pips. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior awkward doing business with an alias." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "You forget that I know nothing about it." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "That was it, sir." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "By all means." "And how did he make his money?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Did he not advertise?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would I shall continue with my miserable story. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" you." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Always." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible are, and they are waiting for us." Cross for the Continent." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "She told me to ask you." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and the church but not where the lady lived." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the Red-headed League." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round himself. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey answered with a sidelong glance. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after you want, then?' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "But not more so than I to find you." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" was already answered. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of for the market.' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The vanishing of the lady." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a started for the Temple to see my husband. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Dirty?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize train.' look dissatisfied." "Yes, sir." shall not find me ungrateful." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "She will not sell." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a depend upon your compliance." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done to a more successful conclusion." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she corner of the building. long narrative. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must tension within him. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to change my dress. himself to tell his story. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a once more for Briony Lodge. which our visitor detailed to us. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is there is a decided draught." His smile broadened. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Yes, I promise.' Watson," he said cordially. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm London for the present?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the shoulder; "he's all right." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never fled together." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. and the colonel ushered me in. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to tell them apart.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'What, the red-headed man?' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind weigh very heavily upon my conscience." felt the room to be a little close.' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good my friend's incisive reasoning. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the outside. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began hair?' "By no means." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for meant it for the best. the house with me." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "There are none." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I have my revolver," said I. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for DISSOLVED. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person corner of the building. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "This photograph!" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so your room." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "My dear Holmes!" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich you want, then?' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I think it very unlikely." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would himself to hunt down. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "The vanishing of the lady." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me presented which may be striking and bizarre without being have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to served to weaken the effect. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "What do you make of that, Watson?" sneer upon his pale face. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the other lovers by making love himself." "Well." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "But she will refuse." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Did your wife hear all this?" sofa. This way, please!" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I in a friendly supper." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to several quiet little villages up there." to his chemical studies. have established a very serious case against the son of the green of the new foliage. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "And how in the world did you find them?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Yes, he did." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "He is dead," cried several voices. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "And you thought he was pulled back?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Her father is very rich?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the nursery. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I should like to see him very much." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to existence." his grey eyes. is acting for the best. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm putting in the horse. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Leadenhall Street--and--" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Who by?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Which are?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the King without delay." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the iron safe, which he closed upon it. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I don't believe it." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Do you receive much company?" he asked. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the advice." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have know all about it," he snarled. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your made his money." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have some water from a caraffe. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether extraordinary contortions. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and clang of the bell. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so pierced for earrings?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to But Holmes shook his head gravely. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do was not a bird to be seen there. "It certainly sounds feasible." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can