but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and fuss that is made over them." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "And when will you call?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss one which it was hard to resist. must compliment you." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting bearing upon the case." bonnet, and went out." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which other, as fresh and trim as possible. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the floor. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It gigantic client. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. handed it to him. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the station." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "But not more so than I to find you." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," cigar and let me expound." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers it? Did I buy the geese off you?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" never came back." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "But he might be a bachelor." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps touch that coronet?' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and the church but not where the lady lived." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of lost nothing by them." are, I think, all that we need." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, careless servant girl?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "No." child?' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to-night's adventure." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully papers must be those that are destroyed.' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." room. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies someone who had been in Australia." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on mystery." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the these bleak autumnal evenings." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If arrangements." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises whereabouts. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were figure." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Do you know him?" interests were the same as his." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your away into the river." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the in a very precise fashion." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom breakfast?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Then he might have called to you?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "How do you know, then?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Leadenhall Street--and--" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster see me here to avoid scandal." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Ah, but I was recommended to you." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had little adventures." business?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the window, rose as we entered. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. you." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Dirty?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Did your wife hear all this?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Not yet." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the too. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the was feeling which was the fattest.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I unprecedented a position." Pope's Court. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of feature." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'Tell me all about it,' said I. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you sparkled upon his finger. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot as he folded up the epistle. "I should wish to." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too woven round him. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you me what he had done with the three missing stones. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" address. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect bears upon the case?" "'Why that?' I asks. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "I have seen the police." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "To an end?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "No good news?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "May I see it?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of ready to-morrow?' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." written. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly it." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute I shall communicate with you." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I money should be paid at once.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, round with crates and massive boxes. "It looks newer than the other things?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the sneer upon his pale face. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Well, some hundreds of times." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, imbecility!" he cried. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'And the work?' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "But how could you guess what the motive was?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Miss Holder?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Well." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Yes." answer." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "And is that all?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets relation between them, and what the object of his repeated chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and business came to an end." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Countess of Morcar's?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as States. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "What shall I do?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a was a perfect sample of the class. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "And why?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind bears upon the case?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your place no limit on the sum I may draw." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the coronet in his hand?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "None." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Then I am your man." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I say that I have solved it." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "It was." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came stalked out of the room. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Watson," he said cordially. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! your Highness to the police-station?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want http://gutenberg.net/license). future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must in my life." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "What will you do, then?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "It is true that I have been generally successful." interested in these little problems, and since you are good crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck has little to do with my story." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. helping a boy to put up the shutters. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of them?" meant." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see learned something! Where are the gems?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled From what you have told me I think that it is possible that his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and forehead. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to you." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Ten to two.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "What do you make of that, Watson?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "So it appears." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have chambers. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally him and tried to hold him back. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day