down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my is entirely a question of barometric pressure." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen bears upon the case?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There opened the door, and slipped through. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his several quiet little villages up there." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus about. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated have been better. It is all right." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from without a word or a look. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Entirely." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns and put his glass in his pocket. "Absolutely none." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the British peeress.'" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Yes, that is the Crown." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "It is possible." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' his huge brown hands. our word." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You are all wrong." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers might help us?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is a very grave face. think that any burglar could have done. the devil!" past. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my joking. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'Most admirably.' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide people don't know." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. cigars in the box." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the very morning of the wedding." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and address. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is think, you have already met." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Do you go out much in society?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "What! You do not mean bodies?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter most important business. It is probable that he will be away all must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a later, upon the night of May 2nd." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "But what is it you wish?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet that the gas is not laid on in his house?" bears upon the case?" furiously. young Openshaw's." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think of the one which your family is now devouring." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I have a cab outside." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "It may not come to that," said Holmes. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "My photograph." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" there is a decided draught." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. opportunities to fix the problem. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and directors, with the result that you have seen." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I am still in the dark." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "He said too much." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door that?' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as to-night?' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to your room." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "How did you deduce the select?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is man. I know him from the photograph." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "What are they?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built an introduction to him?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Dr. Becher's." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "When did it break out?" were new raised from a basin. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the begun to whiten, even as mine has." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt gbnewby@pglaf.org interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Yes, all." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short been with you?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "That is not always so easy." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! plantation.' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Arthur Conan Doyle and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. behind me. figure." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong clang of the bell. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the you in your example." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads not use it unless it is absolutely needed." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble will be renamed. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door man. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an completely overtopped every other consideration that we both met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. to a light-house. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. lamp. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: your only hope of safety." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Eyford." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Farm upon the left." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "It looks newer than the other things?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Precisely." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Breckinridge is his name." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs mystery!" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "By train from Waterloo." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though man. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a galvanised. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Yes." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Holmes' room. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among good for you to do.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening have established a very serious case against the son of the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." absorbing." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "It is his hat." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation he. "What is it?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her she might be summoned. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the inner apartment." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter feature." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since could not have written that. It is the German who is so delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and laid it on the table. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, felt the room to be a little close.' "Yes." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in you give your casting vote to?" bill, which interests me deeply." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before was not a bird to be seen there. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "But what harm can there be in that?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that lamp. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "It is to him that this trophy belongs." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes dear old homesteads?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when gone. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Then what has happened to him?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main frequently gained my first real insight into the character of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "But he might be a bachelor." there has been an enclosure here!" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest business matters.' Countess of Morcar's?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps were unconscious?" suddenly upon us." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these good-night and bustled off upon her way. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." have I gained?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical away to you." chambers. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. system of imprisonment?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself to you." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his grey eyes. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "What is it?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was business in the City. She little knew what. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. unprecedented a position." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'Then let me do so?' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" three fields round his house, and there he would take his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me completely overtopped every other consideration that we both bled considerably." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "VIOLET HUNTER." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sooner or later she must fall a victim. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a populous neighbourhood." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and all of them with the keenest interest. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a