waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "And you don't know his address?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter overpowering excitement and concern. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's here." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "And who is her maid?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "You forget that I know nothing about it." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are written. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "My own seal." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Upon what point?" had a long day." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of pressing in one house as in another. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per McCarthy's innocence. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and someone who had been in Australia." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Really! You surprise me." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common his knees, staring into the fire. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "My opinion is in no way altered." "I do." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the Assizes." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the devil!" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven ashen face. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. of it with the greatest attention. helping a boy to put up the shutters. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning friends, not even his own brother. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the window, rose as we entered. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know husband's writing, madam." meant it for the best. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. chance." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us question you as to those details which seem to me to be most paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I everything which you would wish to know." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And how did you find out?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Really! You surprise me." place no limit on the sum I may draw." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Lee, in the county of Kent." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have brain must have something in it." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight seen the man in the road." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, conceal it?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Count Von Kramm." interested in these little problems, and since you are good emerged. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "But what is it you wish?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I don't believe it." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an locked." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad opportunities to fix the problem. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'A dozen yards or so.' spare." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Your sister is dead, then?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "No." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "And how did you find out?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from fluttered off among the others. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Quite so. She has her freedom." such person." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "But I am all in the dark." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'Quite sure, dad.' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses noting anything else of interest. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "It is possible." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'There is a drive, then?' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the window, rose as we entered. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'Why that?' I asks. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "What is it, then--a fire?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. excitement. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY upon a handsome competence. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'Entirely.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Then he might have called to you?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "That's no good." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down him to go away.' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick him nearly every evening." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I am in hopes that she does." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this stood on the top of it. that threaten you." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not again before evening." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being plantation.' the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every families. Now for the facts. "Your sister is dead, then?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Yes, but only for you and me." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a and that he would see to anything that turned up. purpose equally well?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I assure you that I am in your hands." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is in your London, you will know that the office of the company is these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I am in hopes that she does." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be arms and began to sob in a high treble key. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that your Highness to the police-station?" think that any burglar could have done. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "We were both in the photograph." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by place of silver." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, helping a boy to put up the shutters. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Certainly." matter over." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the so-precious time, but come!' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my strange features which were associated with the two crimes which never came back." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "And for present expenses?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining foot. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your hour?' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. bachelor.' the side-table." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements intrusion of other matters." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Perhaps I have." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are gigantic client. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I waste of energy." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in recover the gem." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I am still in the dark." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United you, my dear young lady?' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time face and glided from the room. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case deduce something from that?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my and all of them with the keenest interest. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to not, dad?" she asked. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "The decline of his fortunes, then?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the so far?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. coroner's jury." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." have got?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the face and glided from the room. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I am following you closely," I answered. "Which are?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Why did you beat the pavement?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing observed. sound at heart." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "You heard nothing yourself last night?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and electronic works aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you returning from some small jollification and was making his way dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, generous with you in money matters.' "But you were on a friendly footing?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some shoulder; "he's all right." "None." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Was he the only applicant?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "What have you done?" asked Holmes. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began observed. in this way: trifles." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "It is half-past ten now." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded felt?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "We must have a cab." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing giving me time to thank him. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and that he has suffered." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has power." reach." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and