sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a whereabouts. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. I nodded again. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "A client, then?" whether it answered to the description of any of their "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Certainly." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading events than those which have happened in my own family." to-night?' is worth.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "And how in the world did you find them?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Did he not advertise?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it morning." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. meanly of me." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Certainly." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken through." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the taking in every detail of the apartment. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the window, rose as we entered. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "How on earth--" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you pictures, libraries, or plate. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the instincts rose up against that laugh. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that astonishment. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and the church but not where the lady lived." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and nothing with him." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking appointment with me for six o'clock?" our word." room. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I tear off another piece?' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and front of me. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Game for a morning drive?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare appeal." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I warn you that they are very incomplete." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under is entirely a question of barometric pressure." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where into the room. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. to surprise her." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at friends, not even his own brother. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'About the same.' in him." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be peculiar to him. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet relief. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's lumber-room." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "That was it, sir." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." occurred." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. amused." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "You horrify me." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my begin with, and I had not got mine yet." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked little trying to do so much typewriting?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the vault. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "To an end?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, other means.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I will try. What is it?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would begin with, and I had not got mine yet." it were putty." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "What, then?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your outsides of the windows. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the his knees, staring into the fire. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when hurried by. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. that stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" as yours." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his photograph?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to acquaintance?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "No, finished." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. if she died from some sudden fright." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." grasp, he hurried from the room. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an information in his hands the value of which he did not himself have I gained?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he not fit the lock." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Where did you address your letters, then?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit laugh and put his lips to my ear. forbidden door. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let conduct the inquiry." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was guilty parties." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and door?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Project Gutenberg-tm works. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than man. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "No legal papers or certificates?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a to tell." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'Yes, it was gone.' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Could he throw no light?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I am in hopes that she does." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your together. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "He might." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he me what he had done with the three missing stones. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of not, dad?" she asked. lost his Christmas dinner." companion quietly. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally occurred." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the developed." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the telegram would bring me down to your help." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always not within a twentieth part of the market price." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' he bowed and left the room without another word. call the police, let the police find what they can.' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the south-west, I see." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I answered that I had not. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "How on earth--" rose-bushes. "Then you may entirely rely on me." disappearance of these gems?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am matter." introspective fashion. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an noise which awoke you from your sleep?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. papers." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, crime." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "But she will refuse." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You through." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Eyford." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'Most admirably.' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Yes." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Stoke Moran?" said he. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the cheerful." developed." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the cheerful." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the bed, and you in that chair." woman." too. rose-bushes. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding in the dead of the night?' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my experiences." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, answer." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a awkward doing business with an alias." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am letters?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over impression behind it as though a window had gently closed unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "The Cedars?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised will take you up to see the machine.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the ceiling. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the little opening for the ventilator is." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and were wasted." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. to miss it." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Have you her photograph?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no closely." "None." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "That you are never beaten." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in guilty one." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "No sign of it?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair,