matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "She walked into the breakfast-room." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat narrative." said I. again, where I was soon asleep. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "You have compromised yourself seriously." to some other building. "And from a noble client?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Where, indeed?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his indeed which he could not unravel. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend completely overtopped every other consideration that we both at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Pray continue your narrative." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Come in!" said he. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "No." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it place no limit on the sum I may draw." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had must compliment you." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who confronted him. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On washing it down with a long draught of water. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Bought." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the you?' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your weary and pale-looking. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and capable of preserving a secret.' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in room. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There call the police, let the police find what they can.' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. one's self under obligations.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she six. Come in!" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," crime. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Was she in good spirits?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "And leave your case unfinished?" "You know me, then?" generous with you in money matters.' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. writing, and yet I know it well." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and that he would see to anything that turned up. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded impression behind it as though a window had gently closed both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. 1.F. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the one as in the other." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Where, indeed?" "But how?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Come in!" said Holmes. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards seen the man in the road." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "You did not overhear what they said?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Perhaps we may make them less so." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. important." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. gentleman's clothes. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Whose house is it?" golden eyeglasses. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had experiences." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize for its centre. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax details should find their way into the papers. Inspector dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had an introduction to him?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I have come for advice." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my shoulder. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'Where to?' "No, I am descending." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Then you may entirely rely on me." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the south-west, I see." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "At what time?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots again." "Never to return." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in other lovers by making love himself." and inquire as to the address." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was pierced for earrings?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I think it very unlikely." "My dear Holmes!" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I prepare for the new role I have to play." some water from a caraffe. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Mrs. Toller serenely. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "No sign of it?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'Is 4 pounds a week.' page at http://pglaf.org Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. again, where I was soon asleep. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest suddenly upon us." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this know that the truth is known." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face six. Come in!" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little way in everything. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near possible that we could bring him back to her? seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And for present expenses?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the which we had just quitted. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Foundation "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "You have but to name it." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Very. But will he see it?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "No, distinctly professional." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, constraint." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better train.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "And is that all?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without matter over." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Count Von Kramm." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Yes." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I know where it is." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Very. But will he see it?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I of them has the shutters up.' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who lost his Christmas dinner." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually meant." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Doctor, of the paper and the date." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical him nearly every evening." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "No, I am descending." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is closely." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'Stolen!' he cried. "That sounds a little paradoxical." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Murdered?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed train.' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "At what time?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the which was all perfectly true. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so other means.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no me where it went to?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young sparkled upon his finger. ways of our fellow-men." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. empty. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so strength in the others." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Yes, from Horsham." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, thin legs towards the fire. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came to have been novel and of interest." "Yes." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, tapping his fingers upon the table. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who http://www.gutenberg.net railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, fishes. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you come either from the window or the door. My attention was Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew occurred." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a client, rising. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "In heaven's name, what for?" remarked. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "He is dead," cried several voices. just called myself is not exactly my own." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the case-book, which he consulted. opportunities to fix the problem. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "If so, much may have happened between." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'What do you call purely nominal?' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the coronet at all injured?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I came to find a friend." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man less than 26s. 4d. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the stable lane now." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "The King of Scandinavia." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. advice." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well occupations.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, always that they were such commands as a lady might with "That is possible." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. fire. You quite follow me?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Come in!" said he. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then