sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "But how?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "It is his hat." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." morning." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "No, I had a dozen." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Certainly." whereabouts. constraint." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black must compliment you." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action we went to search for him, face downward in a little Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. night.' said he. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who works. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on hair?' leave you to your papers for a little." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Murdered?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single strength." him." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for are, I think, all that we need." it were putty." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but possible that we could bring him back to her? lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never was not a bird to be seen there. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he and the whole place is in a blaze." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I think it very unlikely." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his strong reason behind." the very morning of the wedding." danger is over." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my everything which you would wish to know." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal you do it in twenty minutes!' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes notes," he said. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this for securing the situation." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the salesman. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Who by?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was in the port of London." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in than to us. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Come in!" said he. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what bears upon the case?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock bird I ate is country bred." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "A client, then?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Where to?' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Where does the thing come from?' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. closely." retorted upon me, and I on you." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." instincts rose up against that laugh. union?" "Yes." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Edgeware Road. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round long narrative. looking up at the numbers of the houses." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge over with notes and figures. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first invisible to me," I remarked. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across my little problems." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lost nothing by them." "An accident, I presume?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to begun to whiten, even as mine has." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Surrey." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Yes, I have one waiting." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "But not more so than I to find you." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need make me his representative both with the servants and with the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Her father is very rich?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, highroad, where all traces were lost. "From his hat?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the unprecedented a position." "I fear not." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "My private note-paper." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Not in the least." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had very old mansion. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "And the murderer?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat what is your own theory as to what took place?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his very old mansion. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure empty. once more for Briony Lodge. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any You want to know what became of those geese?" key of the affair now." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the Assizes." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "And why?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw nothing with him." "His face fell immediately. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "That was it, sir." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Countess of Morcar's?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "The landlord of the Alpha." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a for the market.' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by breakfast?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I will try. What is it?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something walking." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither not fit the lock." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "When did it break out?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which wedding?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Breckinridge is his name." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight will find little credit to be gained out of this case." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Game for a morning drive?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should how narrow had been my escape. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both indiscretion." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but will he say when he returns?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway only touch the interest." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as washing it down with a long draught of water. distinguish the words: Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "The Cedars?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together think, you have already met." "Very murderous indeed." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, questionable one." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "But you have hopes?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He ways of our fellow-men." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I nodded to show that I had heard. together. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, long narrative. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Yes, that is the Crown." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Just look it up, then." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. you for a few hours?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three side. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they was a lad." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to tell." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of it. "I cannot as yet see any connection." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We beyond words. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United read it out to me." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have have an American origin." "Very much so." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." assist you in forming an opinion." nothing of it?" the roots. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel to-night." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I came to find a friend." chance." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. them?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This see a sister of mine apply for." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "And what did you learn from him?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Perhaps we may make them less so." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several acted in my house last night?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "In which, sir?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I be. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get back to my heart. "If I can be of use." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the astonishment. posted to-day." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I am sure." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had power." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was The events in question occurred in the early days of my as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "At half-wages, in fact." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You don't mind breaking the law?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are not personally threatened." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his London for the present?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the way: Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. attention." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "By train from Waterloo." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "What will you do, then?" "Game for a morning drive?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. closing the door. not as remarkable as your advertisement." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look."