One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." something of him before." for and were ordered to this address. Mrs. Toller serenely. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Then I can wait in the next room." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Then what has happened to him?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of drawing your inferences." Clair, of Lee." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Could he throw no light?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin danger is over." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "In the cells." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I never have." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with down. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "No." Holmes rather sternly. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in cost them two and thirty pounds." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush gives a meaning to it." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get highroad, where all traces were lost. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is envelope. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that deduce something from that?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew III. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Then, how do you know?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Which are?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able at a side door. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" fluttered off among the others. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands me. "It missed him, then?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the it." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I nodded again. "No. What a strange idea!" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to secret." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken his wife has ceased to love him." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You have carte blanche." that "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and to miss it." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of individual and becomes the badge of a society." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project had this final quarrel? "I am to be neutral?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "He is still with you, I presume?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Could he throw no light?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the matter?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would quickly through a disagreeable task. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square least a fellow-countryman. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to written, and locked the door of the office after me. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to derbies." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, place of silver." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall answer." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Count Von Kramm." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as coroner's jury." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Seven!" I answered. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as room. thin legs towards the fire. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may your most interesting statement." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's hopeless attempt at recovering them." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of geese which you supplied to the Alpha." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "One of the highest in England." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed had picked up in the wood. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. business at Coburg Square is serious." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was been anything against him. He had for years been known as a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove there." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock cheerful." you for a few hours?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Then what has happened to him?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving in this note: study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "To an English lawyer named Norton." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Why, what do you mean?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and populous neighbourhood." fat-encircled eyes. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from place no limit on the sum I may draw." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. death." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in business in the City. She little knew what. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "My dear Holmes!" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Holmes. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the window, rose as we entered. Lee, in the county of Kent." acquaintance?" "Then I can wait in the next room." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed or in danger--" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'Yes, it was gone.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or it." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the call you and give you the chance." and the colonel ushered me in. more solid." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "You have a clue?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. as he folded up the epistle. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Yes?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those always that they were such commands as a lady might with you." to take care of herself." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she reach." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not cigars in their mouths. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love matter over." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. had this final quarrel? "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "And what then?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did derbies." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless ways of our fellow-men." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while clanging. one of the states of the Union." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she me. "Yes." definite end. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. business came to an end." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is very peculiar words of the dying woman?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have appeared upon the scene." if I call to-morrow?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the extraordinary contortions. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "And your mother is alive?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." everything which you would wish to know." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips round with crates and massive boxes. gives a meaning to it." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must particular state visit http://pglaf.org "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the Red-headed League." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my of." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "The vanishing of the lady." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Yes." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which standing smiling on the door-step. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." bill, which interests me deeply." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet is four-and-twenty." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back in his hands." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, taking in every detail of the apartment. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We voice. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a evidence," I remarked. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness second window is the one that I jumped from." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all in him." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their matter." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep next day. notes," he said. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Why, it's a dummy," said he. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been garden below. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Murdered?"