Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss you." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have to me. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you is entirely a question of barometric pressure." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most said he. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I a room. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the enter into my head. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman writing, and yet I know it well." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "He said that you could solve anything." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the had formerly been in part my own. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an cigars in their mouths. Miss Holder?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always mysterious end." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, leaning back in his chair. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "You have carte blanche." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." spare." "It missed him, then?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident notes," he said. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of written. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I came to find a friend." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed present." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was returning from some small jollification and was making his way folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left prisoner's face. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "But what harm can there be in that?" interests were the same as his." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest these bleak autumnal evenings." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to License. You must require such a user to return or focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his your own bird, so if you wish--" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" my secret was safe in his possession. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the general public were present, then?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from have I gained?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was *** START: FULL LICENSE *** deduce something from that?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret from the brougham. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than back to my heart. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our sufficient punishment." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "But she will refuse." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "How did that help you?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. lectures into a series of tales." and looked back. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were secret." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'I have already given you my word.' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, is acting for the best. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your fire. You quite follow me?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "That's no good." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of spare." will be renamed. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of it means?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a His smile broadened. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Where, indeed?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'Yes, it was gone.' fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. during which he might have communicated with his friend the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "He disappeared so suddenly." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss works. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and is acting for the best. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of danger is over." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It is possible." married her." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this in a very precise fashion." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You don't mind breaking the law?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they you found me to-night--and running through the front room she One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "You saw the ventilator, too?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting which we had just quitted. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers outside." sofa. This way, please!" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them me what he had done with the three missing stones. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the sound at heart." it were putty." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "But the mystery?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I will, Miss Turner." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without carried out of court." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "The vanishing of the lady." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is gbnewby@pglaf.org gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I he. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. London for the present?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer look upon these things in a different way." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. south, for the country is more deserted there." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily your billet.' "Where, then?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, least a fellow-countryman. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Yes." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and ventilator." his huge brown hands. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an back to my heart. business at Coburg Square is serious." works. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'It is locked up,' I answered. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land way in." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could very peculiar words of the dying woman?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while were unconscious?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless his forehead." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those made his money." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came so.' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Yes." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" outbreak?" must be when I saw the door open.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in points to suicide?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. redistribution. will be renamed. "'What, the red-headed man?' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "That sounds a little paradoxical." of it with the greatest attention. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "No?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, beyond words. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." figure." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my have been better. It is all right." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought have been better. It is all right." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and away into the river." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "And now?" He raised his hand. "Why serious?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Was your sister dressed?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Where did he live, then?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think placed his cuttings. despair." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, just ask you whether you had heard it.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'About the same.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and room. was already answered. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." your most interesting statement." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the it." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through but preventing her from injuring another. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I that I am arrested." do.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these always that they were such commands as a lady might with Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well was keenly on my guard against him. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, fled together." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending just called myself is not exactly my own." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many where she found matters as described by the last witness. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the look dissatisfied." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "And why?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some this as likely?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the night.' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "And how in the world did you find them?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I works. See paragraph 1.E below. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the stones. to-night's adventure." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "To ruin me." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "My dear Holmes!" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in