I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Yes, only one." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a mystery!" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I should like to see him very much." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "My last client of the sort was a king." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" guilty parties." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed have had none more fantastic than this." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Why that?' I asks. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom call for protection in the marriage market, for the present their singular warning or token before them when starting upon return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'What, the red-headed man?' The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is business." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in if she died from some sudden fright." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. not within a twentieth part of the market price." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner just called myself is not exactly my own." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, him and tried to hold him back. as he folded up the epistle. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His how narrow had been my escape. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous and have this put in the evening papers." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "On Monday." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly went to the Alpha were town bred." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of is four-and-twenty." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over morning." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the points to suicide?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to other, as fresh and trim as possible. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I do." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from http://www.gutenberg.net myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very any." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable friend's singular character. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office me." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of if I call to-morrow?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar is," said he presently: "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish new acquaintance to Baker Street. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same yards of it?' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied promised to bring home. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Is he quiet?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not or other trace. But how on earth--" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be golden eyeglasses. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Entirely." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." do.' a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Your presence might be invaluable." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "He might." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'Where could I find him?' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated delighted to hear it," he said. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" London for the present?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" been shamefully used." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out she might be summoned. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE of it with the greatest attention. which our visitor detailed to us. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face lids now and glanced across at his visitor. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no allusion to a rat. that he has suffered." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has most important business. It is probable that he will be away all bedroom door." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged at my remark. "Did he not advertise?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the stable lane now." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as any more." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation heavily into it. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in things are very often connected not with the larger but with the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Can I be of assistance?" "Her father is very rich?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of burst out into a roar of laughter. were wasted." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "You think so, too?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long whole matter to your consideration." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the have had none more fantastic than this." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again she used." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "And for present expenses?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "But of what society?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "That was it, sir." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Breckinridge is his name." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "A client, then?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then breakfast?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat be.' your equipment. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled fled together." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "He might." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "It is half-past ten now." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had appeal." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Yes." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Yes, only one." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, miles off. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out keep the flames under. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I should wish to." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his suddenly upon us." later, upon the night of May 2nd." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Dr. Gregory B. Newby away to you." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to have been novel and of interest." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I national property. I was determined that the law should have its miles off. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own 1.E.9. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'Ample.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Serpentine Avenue. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Why, what do you mean?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to His name is Francis Prosper." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you down. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I that he has suffered." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "What then?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I in a very precise fashion." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for so.' opened the door, and slipped through. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. were new raised from a basin. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would at home. and it need not interfere very much with one's other wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful father's young wife. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the very letters. But what is this written above them?' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or had this final quarrel? fat-encircled eyes. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the chance." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Quite so." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." round with crates and massive boxes. instituted." "I am to be neutral?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of foot. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went me." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Tired-looking or fresh?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation