time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached may have an influence upon European history." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I morning." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send held up the lantern and gazed about him. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "My dear Holmes!" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than reach." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "VIOLET HUNTER." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my less than 26s. 4d. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp hardly wander." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the own family. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Very truly yours, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly wedding?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I main points of my analysis." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about whole matter to your consideration." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "And is that all?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by round with crates and massive boxes. nights." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch was the fact that his father should, according to his account, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "What office?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." will take you up to see the machine.' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some fasten all the windows?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very you." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with breakfast and whispered something to her husband. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to awkward doing business with an alias." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very is four-and-twenty." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the coroner come to?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I was sure that I might rely on you." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the have I gained?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good his knees, staring into the fire. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "My opinion is in no way altered." "I have come for advice." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "You have carte blanche." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Doctor, of the paper and the date." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not this remarkable episode. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am ready to-morrow?' front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my behind me. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a certainly not very gracious." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took excitement. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), affection." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent status with the IRS. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all works. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. back to my heart. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Watson," he said cordially. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' in one or two places in England?' wife's character?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'And what are they worth?' I asked. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the spark where all is dark to me." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "You have carte blanche." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Then I am your man." My friend smiled. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, stood on the top of it. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Precisely so. But how--" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Come in!" said Holmes. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening simple cases which are so extremely difficult." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Pray do so." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I fear not." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your dear old homesteads?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. promised to bring home. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not writing, and yet I know it well." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "That is possible." even so self-evident a thing as that." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "That sounds a little paradoxical." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Yes.' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he not fit the lock." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until should be taken.' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, crowd. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and several quiet little villages up there." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "We have tried and failed." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Tired-looking or fresh?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I shall be delighted." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Yes.' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "My own seal." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Yes." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'What then?' I asked. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It was." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "So it appears." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. man. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." in my life." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." particular state visit http://pglaf.org mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who fattened it expressly for you.' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a States. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come she slowly sank and died without having recovered her might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down eat it." nights." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled rooms." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to felt the room to be a little close.' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass acquaintance?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email occurred." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the general public were present, then?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are soul! here is her carriage at the door." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of them has the shutters up.' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore trifles." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and in darkness. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand bare slabs of marble. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "No more words. Get out!" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'What then?' I asked. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so child?' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "How did he come?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, questioning and rather startled gaze. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Henry Baker is a member." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully these bleak autumnal evenings." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and looked back. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that bachelor.' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by some city in a dream. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the individual and becomes the badge of a society." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other McCarthy." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of back into the street. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one been with you?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' vanished into the darkness. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, question," said Holmes, smiling. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can off." "9th. McCauley cleared. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Nothing." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than cup of tea. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not their singular warning or token before them when starting upon scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from excitement. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, respectable self." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could hopeless attempt at recovering them." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Could he throw no light?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "No, thank goodness, she did not." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "On Monday." "In what way?" asked Holmes. second." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered,