"DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and wait." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a cigars in their mouths. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, night.' said he. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a followed. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "The gentleman I describe." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and a monotonous occupation." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out ashen face. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I think it very unlikely." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been there when the Rucastles went away." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she know what is wrong with it.' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending you want, then?' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "There is the writing." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the written. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled village inn over there?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to arrive at through this?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project his eyes and forehead. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' one else, I think." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They just ask you whether you had heard it.' "By all means." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" it. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this you." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If interests were the same as his." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "That is it on the dressing-table." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would have had none more fantastic than this." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. happened." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "You horrify me!" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account late." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a it." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "How are you getting on?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to-night?' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' photograph a cabinet?" to have that photograph." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. experiences." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "The vanishing of the lady." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some delirious. or other trace. But how on earth--" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "And for present expenses?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Yes?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "VIOLET HUNTER." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the absorbing." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Absolutely?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the in one or two places in England?' "Why, what do you mean?" "VIOLET HUNTER." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "How often?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. had formerly been in part my own. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little very morning of my second wedding." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of burst out into a roar of laughter. some water from a caraffe. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in answered with a sidelong glance. your bag." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope them present such singular features as the strange train of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover bonnet, and went out." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "His face fell immediately. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in in a friendly supper." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Yes. He waved his hands." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "There are none." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "It is half-past ten now." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Eh? What was that?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to more solid." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or system of imprisonment?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and call it cruel." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my voice, changing her seat as requested. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Yes." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." at my remark. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the own family. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who to where he stood hid behind the curtain. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in His name is Francis Prosper." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door stammered. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from use an arc-and-compass breastpin." way in everything. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Which dealer's?' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential been shamefully used." Literary Archive Foundation and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last throat." orange pips. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." be best to do. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I placed his cuttings. "No, I had a dozen." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "It must be recovered." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. papers." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "What is it, then--a fire?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "My dear Holmes!" unprecedented a position." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "And how did he make his money?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from putting in the horse. village inn over there?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Ah, but I was recommended to you." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." posted to-day." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Texas, I think." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Yes, it would be as well." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to chance." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I for the market.' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "What, then, did Peterson do?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just walking." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Mrs. Toller serenely. of Mr. Rucastle's." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these see me here to avoid scandal." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting anything to do with the matter?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over as the one I chose?' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "But how will you look?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which than to us. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I know where it is." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his putting in the horse. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'What do you call purely nominal?' any." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to Leatherhead. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling considering the formidable letters which were received by himself drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up me. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have about here speaks of his kindness to him." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means I leave." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the locked." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'About the same.' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Never." of them has the shutters up.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he silent! Oh, he will be silent!' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "What, then?" tightly behind him. the station." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Very much so." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of touch that coronet?' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, colour had been driven from his face. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, him to be an active member of the medical profession." occupations.' sneer upon his pale face. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel I nodded again. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of bled considerably." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Nothing." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after always that they were such commands as a lady might with them?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Was she in good spirits?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I will get her to show me."