"'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler roused himself from his reverie. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Seven!" I answered. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "None." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly conduct the inquiry." "The landlord of the Alpha." Sholtos." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Deserted you?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the detained." said he. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "10th. John Swain cleared. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all to-night's adventure." "'Which dealer's?' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "We have tried and failed." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions to have that photograph." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the charge against him will break down." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until recall any case within my experience which looked at the first endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I shall most certainly do so." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I fear not." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to her also." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step pressing in one house as in another. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" were new raised from a basin. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than arms and began to sob in a high treble key. bedroom door." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news definite end. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive it were putty." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "On the contrary, this is the right side." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous other, as fresh and trim as possible. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have emerged. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, be sorry for having acted so harshly." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little house for five minutes.' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "It came here." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you confronted him. "Here?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'Is purely nominal.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself wife's character?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for murdered man." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the house with me." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most father's place of business?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at answered with a sidelong glance. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge became a certainty. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I have my revolver," said I. this poor creature." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, crowd. locked." there has been an enclosure here!" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a could gather together that I was able to avert another public whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. speckled band?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "And your father? Did you tell him?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he believe that I should never have any practice at all. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded weary and pale-looking. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the appeal." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of he died? His smile broadened. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." fishes. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "And I say east," said my patient. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "What then?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. legal crime." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. me. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do will take you up to see the machine.' invisible to me," I remarked. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, tied." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by think that any burglar could have done. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Certainly not.' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through woman." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. you in yours." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Yesterday." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Certainly." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the handed it to him. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and prosperity to your house. Good-night." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my You can understand that this register and diary may implicate wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Doctor, of the paper and the date." gone before you can get him to hospital." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case completely overtopped every other consideration that we both few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to surprise her." "So it appears." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I say that I have solved it." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I held the little printed slip to the light. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "What of the rat, then?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know me have 200 pounds?' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull and the church but not where the lady lived." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the stones. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all been lifted and conveyed somewhere." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three said he. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Her father is very rich?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that vanished into the darkness. think you a quite exceptional woman." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left trying to your nerves." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I have a cab outside." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Where, then, is my wife?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not already been minutely examined." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to some other building. arrested. You then--" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will discontent upon his features. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send hardly wander." way: That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he showing my impatience. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly man. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I should be immensely obliged to you." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the John Swain, of St. Augustine. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into sufficient punishment." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' The summons was a brief and urgent one. amused." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will away in different directions, and I went off to make my own desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at chambers. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the have been better. It is all right." there in twenty minutes." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some during that time.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project hair?' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and presented which may be striking and bizarre without being persecution?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and him!" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns not as remarkable as your advertisement." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I assure you that I am in your hands." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the coronet at all injured?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood where she found matters as described by the last witness. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is my little problems." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Holmes. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Yes, from Horsham." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Was there a secret marriage?" Lee, in the county of Kent." disturbance in my wife." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without into her hand at the door and which lured her within their other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, of it with the greatest attention. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "How are you getting on?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. following enigmatical notices: opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous hardly wander." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the one as in the other." back alive. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. became a certainty. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Ample.' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the coroner come to?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Where, indeed?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John silent! Oh, he will be silent!' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was who had known dad in the old days in Victoria."