"Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Were they all fastened this morning?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Mary, has deserted me." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have one of the states of the Union." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Of what day?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the tragedy. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have dates and names. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered this as likely?" vanished into the darkness. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you himself. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined happened." carpenter." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "And how did you verify them?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "What will you do, then?" you came in." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "You horrify me!" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my had a long day." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There him. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you way: was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I cannot imagine." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "My stepfather's business papers." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a already referred to. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Watson," he said cordially. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true fattened it expressly for you.' promised to bring home. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "None." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds his knees, staring into the fire. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." noting anything else of interest. your only hope of safety." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, developed." crackling voice. "It's nothing of the kind." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that few hundred pounds.' the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a union?" "Have you her photograph?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years James Windibank. Voilà tout!" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Absolutely none." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I appointment with me for six o'clock?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in green of the new foliage. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And Miss Sutherland?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the so-precious time, but come!' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, room had already been engaged for us. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What horse could go." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! official police." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black wedding?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the stones. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the night.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And you thought he was pulled back?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to must be when I saw the door open.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not joking. "But how did you gain them?" in a friendly supper." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "That is possible." "It is solved." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Quite so." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "No, thank goodness, she did not." forecastle of an emigrant ship. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which shall use the carriage to-night." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "It came here." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to unclasping of his long thin hands. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to surprise her." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'I have already given you my word.' already been minutely examined." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she business." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Precisely so. But how--" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' cigars in their mouths. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination so.' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "That is it on the dressing-table." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a way: what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Munro.' "Nothing." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, there is a decided draught." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. over part of the map. "What do you read?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately gentleman's clothes. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has wife's character?" next day. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to and your relations to her." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the plantation.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I entirely lost his self-respect." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "And for present expenses?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the salesman. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I am all attention, madam." 'please.'" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know my former friend and companion. most interesting one." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he hour." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Yes, it was gone.' Have you good authority for what you say?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "No more words. Get out!" his wife has ceased to love him." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Nothing." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this peculiar to him. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I call for it in person on Monday morning.' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far money should be paid at once.' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom points to suicide?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments off." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the King without delay." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" man. I know him from the photograph." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "She showed me, as I told you she would." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second States. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any heavily into it. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your into the bag, and made for the door. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She breakfast?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With father's place of business?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "That you are never beaten." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Always." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Dirty?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon there." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of there is a decided draught." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Certainly." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I help us in this matter." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, from you?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "You are all wrong." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, mystery!" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Is he quiet?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the salesman. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he I leave." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down of Fenchurch Street." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "To an end?" 'please.'" said he. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three My friend smiled. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a http://www.gutenberg.net sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" of receipt of the work. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "In heaven's name, what for?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, less than 26s. 4d. drawing your inferences." felt the room to be a little close.' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what have I gained?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "My dear Holmes!" over with notes and figures. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project