"There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just to miss it." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed late!' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, existence." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project introspective fashion. "My stepfather's business papers." "Pray do so." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'I am sure that I do not know.' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently morning." which was all perfectly true. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was out of this horrible affair." in my life." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which speckled band?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The away into the river." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely very morning of my second wedding." "What!" he roared. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. nonsense.' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I am in hopes that she does." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "It certainly sounds feasible." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident gbnewby@pglaf.org Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, into the bag, and made for the door. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by to have that photograph." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "What!" he roared. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always The police have openly confessed that they can at present make agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and father's young wife. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "What is it, then--a fire?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the stones. the stable lane now." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then weigh very heavily upon my conscience." nothing of it?" papers on the sundial.'" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and it need not interfere very much with one's other forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "But your client--" in the port of London." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Mary, has deserted me." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the coronet at all injured?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Who was the criminal, then?" imbecility!" he cried. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which pity, because in other respects you would really have done very extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "What do you make of that, Watson?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." her also." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea business in the City. She little knew what. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker again." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I him!" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to American. Then who could this American be, and why should he gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I am to be neutral?" passage and a tap at the door. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which this man was intellectual?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door few hundred pounds.' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. may have an influence upon European history." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which instituted." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant you?' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done get the tickets." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, evidence," I remarked. despaired of." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. fluttered off among the others. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a him." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the into the room. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through him, that man would not have given me such complete information and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to I nodded again. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old once more for Briony Lodge. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about me what he had done with the three missing stones. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, father's young wife. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "And I." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that presume?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did appointment with me for six o'clock?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "And Irene Adler?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am suspect him." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Project Gutenberg-tm works. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his sufficient punishment." have I gained?" that?' suddenly upon us." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does likely to be some crony of the landlady's." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "What I expected to see." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'Never.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which I approached. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. may never be exposed to such a temptation." in a very precise fashion." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. fuss that is made over them." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Holmes. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple sit on the left-hand side of the driver." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "But I have heard all that you have heard." key of the affair now." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest a little more before I quite committed myself. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "And how did he make his money?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Of Friday, June 19th." "Where, then?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they opportunities to fix the problem. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the devil!" ways of our fellow-men." I held the little printed slip to the light. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business a very grave face. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and them?" heavily into it. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business waste of energy." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Of what day?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." official police." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than you want, then?' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I cannot imagine." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and your relations to her." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Was there a secret marriage?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "No legal papers or certificates?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I think, you have already met." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had enter Dr. Roylott's room." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the station." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Your presence might be invaluable." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He interests were the same as his." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Yes, the wine-cellar." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "The best possible." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "What have you to say now?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "The landlord of the Alpha." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the house with me." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others character. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "And how did you find out?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King What do you deduce from it?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I have my revolver," said I. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, key of the affair now." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "One of his hands." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The best detective that ever lived. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I am in hopes that she does." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "And how?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss became a certainty. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them again on its way. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it tell them apart.' "Deserted you?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "No, but the enclosure is." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "To ruin me." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. papers diligently of late, have you not?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. to talk it over. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Certainly." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, off." mysterious business." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when miles off. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate go back?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, yourselves in at night?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been have got?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter secret." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "And you don't know his address?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," despair." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Dark enough and sinister enough." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's might help us?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "No, thank goodness, she did not." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the bottom.' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and