place no limit on the sum I may draw." vault. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." something of him before." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the window, rose as we entered. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. gone before you can get him to hospital." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and files of the old papers, following the future career of every before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I works. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Entirely." Watson," he said cordially. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "On your arm?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'I am sure if I had known--' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted His name is Francis Prosper." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." happened." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too gone. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of the vacancies.' crackling voice. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which other means.' Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Holmes' room. could not have written that. It is the German who is so handed it to him. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one footfalls from the street. "None." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and one of them." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in man. I know him from the photograph." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, ashen face. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public details should find their way into the papers. Inspector simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, strength." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "What! You do not mean bodies?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'What do you call purely nominal?' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Then I shall certainly come." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased me. You must get home instantly and act." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Certainly." forecastle of an emigrant ship. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made read over the extraordinary announcement. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Yes." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you back to my heart. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Look there!" said he. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" with the outside air!" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very in darkness. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he place no limit on the sum I may draw." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low business came to an end." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official mystery!" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, States. entirely devoid of interest." you." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so brain must have something in it." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. as this. Pray let me have the details." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "What is it?" o'clock is it?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and which was all perfectly true. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall presented which may be striking and bizarre without being stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were conceal it?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "No, my brougham is waiting." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "That is easily got." Miss Holder?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." asked. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs as yours." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. your room." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'And the work?' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' had no one to advise her at such a crisis." business at Coburg Square is serious." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an held up the lantern and gazed about him. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and the church but not where the lady lived." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be read it out to me." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel to that open window." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," not come at once?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my garden below. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at plantation.' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I think that it is very probable." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "No. What a strange idea!" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age little adventures." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the Assizes." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get but preventing her from injuring another. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers washing it down with a long draught of water. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Then, how do you know?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots instituted." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' affair. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon right! Sit down and let us talk it over." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." directly by questioning you." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and very old mansion. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "To an end?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of rooms." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. prepare for the new role I have to play." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Entirely." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" morning." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her business." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and crime." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is maid will bring up your coffee." held up the lantern and gazed about him. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Witness: I must still refuse. to a light-house. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "No." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with interested in these little problems, and since you are good applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "To an end?" in him." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "So I have heard." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. of it with the greatest attention. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, to you." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we presume?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low himself to hunt down. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Why serious?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something impression behind it as though a window had gently closed International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make with the outside air!" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Get out!" said he. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable throat." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." forebodings. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy for the market.' "It is his hat." beyond words. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "And why?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter corner of the building. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in direction." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against obstinate." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; already been minutely examined." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so upon an income of about 60 pounds." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the window, rose as we entered. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to tell." sooner or later she must fall a victim. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes, from Horsham." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Pray do so." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "And I." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Precisely." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Oh, the cause is excellent!" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which behind me. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "You forget that I know nothing about it." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Yes, all." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then down from London to inquire more deeply into it." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The think you a quite exceptional woman." into the room. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs bore every mark of being an average commonplace British floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual six. Come in!" started for the Temple to see my husband. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" bird of prey. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had II. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "But we can't all be." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and were wasted." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when