"'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the date of his supposed suicide." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and looked back. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my any more." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps woven round him. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Yes, from Horsham." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. bedroom door." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker clang of the bell. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed recover the gem." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the key of the affair now." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There window when the police appeared." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "My last client of the sort was a king." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what suggested at once that there must be a communication between the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I depend upon your compliance." You want to know what became of those geese?" fact, we may call it conclusive." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless people in all walks of life. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that, and I came down." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay prisoner's face. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no fish-monger and a tide-waiter." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs appeal." my secret was safe in his possession. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I gone. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it bell. Holmes whistled. and it need not interfere very much with one's other should be so warm over such a trifle." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Really! You surprise me." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Very good.' whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in could gather together that I was able to avert another public still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass said I. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here is worth.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "How did he come?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small present." disappearance of the bride.'" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists think you a quite exceptional woman." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'Is purely nominal.' "One?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. certainly not very gracious." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to that I can to serve you." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the I held the little printed slip to the light. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the guilty one." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "You are all wrong." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to chance at all." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked which it had come upon my father." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "He is dead," cried several voices. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my I am not easy in my mind about them." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Thank you. Pray proceed." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "On the contrary, this is the right side." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence everything which you would wish to know." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Have you her photograph?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy seven miles from Eyford Station.' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I am in hopes that she does." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "And when will you call?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it upon the shelf for the interim." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never use an arc-and-compass breastpin." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Proceed, then." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I have solved it." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a woman." "She showed me, as I told you she would." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." outside." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied question you as to those details which seem to me to be most This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill cigars in their mouths. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a had a long day." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny made him keep the appointment." case-book, which he consulted. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a it means?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his think, you have already met." maiden herself was most instructive." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that highly," said Holmes. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the inner apartment." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Pray let us have it, for all that." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Holmes rather sternly. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire child?' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "What office?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, bill, which interests me deeply." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "And your mother is alive?" Holmes rather sternly. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my awaited us upon the table. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Yes, it was gone.' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of it with the greatest attention. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his not come at once?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional silent! Oh, he will be silent!' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'What, the red-headed man?' the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "In which, sir?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I wanted for ourselves." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "You did not overhear what they said?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was next day. London for the present?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on she has been waylaid. There has been no result." green of the new foliage. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the locked. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six open." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "And Miss Sutherland?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I should like to see him very much." flock.' very old mansion. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over You can understand that this register and diary may implicate say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me at once, for I have only half an hour." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Where is it, then?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it that you can jump it.' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, which we had just quitted. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the written, and locked the door of the office after me. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I was lame." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be and the church but not where the lady lived." the bed, and you in that chair." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I am all attention, madam." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. look dissatisfied." new duties?' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left I was concerned in it." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we eavesdroppers?' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I name is different." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for are, and they are waiting for us." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, three of the beryls in it, was missing. too. strong and stiff." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the together. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the Assizes." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. fat-encircled eyes. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man very peculiar words of the dying woman?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the annoyance, but no jest. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'I have already given you my word.' to miss it." recover the gem." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. started for the Temple to see my husband. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his in the hope of finding them." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "What do you mean?" depend upon my doing so.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses absorbing." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and have got?" "I do." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. status with the IRS. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "You know me, then?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "But she will refuse." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and McCarthy's innocence. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as populous neighbourhood." round and wave him away like that.' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Stolen, then." about. upon an income of about 60 pounds." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project spare." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." strong and stiff." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Do you go out much in society?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the IS Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at