running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to was feeling which was the fattest.' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper less than 26s. 4d. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I am armed." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited do.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent clang of the bell. "Has he come with you to-night?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. records." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see a few minutes he said that it would be all right. asked. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "That is unusual in a young girl." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Precisely so. But how--" "And how did you verify them?" nothing of it?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. believe that I should never have any practice at all. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. confronted him. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass morning." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "And why in hopes?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was laugh and put his lips to my ear. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' astonishment. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'And the work?' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my recover the gem." situation." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Nothing." electronic works with frightened eyes at his accuser. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." asked. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I would give my fortune to have them back." lamp in his hand. about here speaks of his kindness to him." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Pray do so." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I hands. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant vague figure huddled up in the darkness. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and It may be so in this case, also." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always posted to-day." there!' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "About a month then." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the think that he is innocent?" "What then?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true not personally threatened." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "It is very kind of you." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and answer." address. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one fluttered off among the others. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to I approached. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very me. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Absolutely none." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall answered with a sidelong glance. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "But what will you do?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest already been minutely examined." galvanised. that, and I came down." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Well, it is a possible supposition." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to thirty. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were at my own good fortune. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Absolutely none." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it your troubles." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said or other trace. But how on earth--" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, papers on the sundial.'" and all of them with the keenest interest. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to affect your life." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your noble correspondent could be. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited orange pips. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a were new raised from a basin. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it allusion to a rat. him. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say maid will bring up your coffee." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. province." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of thin legs towards the fire. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Sholtos." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I was mad--insane." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "May I see it?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "No, thank goodness, she did not." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried father's young wife. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I think that it is very probable." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the general public were present, then?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in said I. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." fatally injured? presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to brandy and water within his reach. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "It may not come to that," said Holmes. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I carried out of court." nothing with him." is worth.' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "None." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" late!' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is fact, we may call it conclusive." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that married her." "Yes, it would be as well." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed to some other building. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Chief Executive and Director arrested. You then--" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Indeed! Whose, then?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was which we had just quitted. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, my friend's incisive reasoning. breakfast?" "Why, what do you mean?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father prison!" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the chill to my heart. British peeress.'" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" woven round him. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Yes, that is the Crown." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I case-book, which he consulted. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "What office?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Absolutely?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. to me. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." to some other building. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Do you know him?" His smile broadened. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "If I can be of use." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no golden eyeglasses. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect appeared upon the scene." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and appeared upon the scene." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been coat-tails." breakfast." "None." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "No sign of it?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I shall most certainly do so." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I promise," said Holmes. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "My dear Holmes!" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must call for protection in the marriage market, for the present when you have done it." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the stones. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the armchair which I pushed forward for him. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can stood on the top of it. "What I expected to see." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Nothing?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. about here speaks of his kindness to him." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to in the dead of the night?' daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Can I be of assistance?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in third from London." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that horse could go." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my From what you have told me I think that it is possible that hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and wait." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon