"It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "How many? I don't know." the bottom.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "The vanishing of the lady." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning particular state visit http://pglaf.org "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could thought that she would have been so carried away." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand impression behind it as though a window had gently closed furiously. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I a very grave face. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the inquest, and which are worth considering." of it with the greatest attention. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I am about to be married." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Then he might have called to you?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "You were travelling in the States?" there when the Rucastles went away." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "What of the rat, then?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural letters?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "There is the writing." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached you in your example." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the beyond words. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both hour?' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, nothing with him." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "How did he come?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that despaired of." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "From his hat?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw tell them apart.' Literary Archive Foundation In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. straighten it?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes about. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." go--none." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Why serious?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to should be so warm over such a trifle." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I am all attention, madam." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'Yes, sir.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much shoulder. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from my friend's incisive reasoning. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in darkness. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a his forehead." outbreak?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "No legal papers or certificates?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my there has been an enclosure here!" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar amused." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard present." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I cannot say that I have." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you were unconscious?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Henry Baker is a member." "No." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the with the outside air!" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "It looks newer than the other things?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple there has been an enclosure here!" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here even of instruction." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "But who is he?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely prove to be little relation between the different incidents of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to you." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, call it cruel." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to call you and give you the chance." "'As governess?' "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the window when the police appeared." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "He disappeared so suddenly." "But she could not love him." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Game for a morning drive?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her front of me. horse could go." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. asked. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. clanging. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you careless servant girl?" "Won't it ring?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should British peeress.'" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "My private note-paper." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "An accident, I presume?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once down. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at rat could hardly pass through." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and your relations to her." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'I have heard so.' somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we wife's character?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), one which it was hard to resist. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the key of the affair now." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger opportunities to fix the problem. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of once more for Briony Lodge. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "It may not come to that," said Holmes. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project derbies." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to as yours." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we over here." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Yes, I have one waiting." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside hardly wander." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was me upon any point which I do not make clear." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with this Miss Turner." "I will, Miss Turner." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "But it has twice been burgled." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "But of what society?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Will you go?" it." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to-night's adventure." served to weaken the effect. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the south-west, I see." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you situation." not personally threatened." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Certainly not.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "It's nothing of the kind." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important It may be so in this case, also." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the fattened it expressly for you.' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for man. I know him from the photograph." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to talk it over. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the absorbing." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." union?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons than to us. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the night.' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left relief. lost nothing by them." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Stoke Moran." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Pray let us have it, for all that." detective. business." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for points in connection with it which never have been, and probably being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of rat could hardly pass through." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and no precautions can guard against." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been system of imprisonment?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, down. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically derbies." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and companion imperturbably. prisoner's face. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of to have been novel and of interest." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "My opinion is in no way altered." room. introspective fashion. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You forget that I know nothing about it." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "'Certainly not. But why?' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "It is very kind of you." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no The King stared at him in amazement. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I don't believe it." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. when you have done it." "The doctor?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question leaning back in his chair. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "You think so, too?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before question," said Holmes, smiling. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men;