"Come in!" said he. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Not in a good cause." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Your presence might be invaluable." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Your French gold?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at minor matters until to-morrow." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation it right.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Arthur Conan Doyle "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must mysterious end." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to that he has suffered." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "It looks newer than the other things?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age plantation.' delirious. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. business?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left what I may call a really hard day's work." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was you." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "The vanishing of the lady." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, for and were ordered to this address. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. forebodings. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you been able to understand it, in a very few words. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his ashen face. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his six. Come in!" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "May I see it?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called thin legs towards the fire. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of fashion which was peculiar to him. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four suggested at once that there must be a communication between the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "A client, then?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And your father? Did you tell him?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the is worth.' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yes." putting in the horse. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and status with the IRS. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly direction." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. is four-and-twenty." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked bill, which interests me deeply." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, are, and they are waiting for us." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did envelope. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding better grown goose." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." hopeless attempt at recovering them." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let to-night." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little taking in every detail of the apartment. crowd. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with companion imperturbably. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "He disappeared so suddenly." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, room?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the thought that she would have been so carried away." "And what did you see?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to even so self-evident a thing as that." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. have got?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the interested in these little problems, and since you are good to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, conceal it?" "Never." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical call it cruel." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather remarked. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "It surprised me." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" it." strode off upon his way. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every ventilator." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has existence." "I came to find a friend." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "And how have you succeeded?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it useful material for showing traces. The double line a little branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is outsides of the windows. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, golden eyeglasses. "Always." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some or in danger--" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell one of the states of the Union." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "And why in hopes?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Edgeware Road. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "No sign of it?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "The gentleman I describe." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had God! What an exposure! What can I do?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I think that I had better go, Holmes." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes, only one." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Surrey." following enigmatical notices: There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "He might." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Indeed! Whose, then?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my my former friend and companion. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your over here." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I have my revolver," said I. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. to arrive at through this?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad gentleman's clothes. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then from the brougham. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Never to return." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'Never,' said I. people don't know." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his newspaper selections." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "How did that help you?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the himself to hunt down. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was do." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Ten to two.' "May I see it?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" in. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Whose house is it?" felt?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "What! a murderous attack?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew not, dad?" she asked. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." again, where I was soon asleep. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all telegram would bring me down to your help." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The are, I think, all that we need." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for before the coroner and the police-court." "When did it break out?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "But what harm can there be in that?" address. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I assure you that I am in your hands." noting anything else of interest. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make as he remarks, very much against the son." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian strength of mind to control. him!" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me since then to throw any light upon what became of him." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the is now desirous of getting those letters back." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the together. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly wall." "'What then?' I asked. distinguish the words: the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some of his shoulders. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the fattened it expressly for you.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The lamp in his hand. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and