in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the driver. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my papers diligently of late, have you not?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Again Holmes raved in the air. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which I nodded to show that I had heard. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "What office?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" read over the extraordinary announcement. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Was she in good spirits?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between strength of mind to control. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens constraint." confronted him. for and were ordered to this address. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said business in the City. She little knew what. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. as noiselessly as she had come. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "I cannot tell." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. whatever might befall. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "And when will you call?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Why serious?" could go. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "A call for help, you thought?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "It is true that I have been generally successful." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "She showed me, as I told you she would." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old is entirely a question of barometric pressure." respectable self." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Holmes' room. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a knowledge of the world." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he obstinate." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Pray do so." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "What steps will you take?" I asked. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "That is not always so easy." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back opportunities to fix the problem. "Ten will be early enough." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner your most interesting statement." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so there were so many in the whole country as were brought together yourselves in at night?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is happened." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of o'clock is it?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me to Leatherhead. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the inquest, and which are worth considering." to some other building. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. conclusions. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one miles off. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'A dozen yards or so.' and a shock of very red hair. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a hurried away. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'There is a drive, then?' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Precisely so. But how--" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in swore that no one else had been in the front room during the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working must be when I saw the door open.' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Upon what point?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, with you alone." "That you are never beaten." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on perplexity from it to my illustrious client. main points of my analysis." there has been an enclosure here!" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "It is half-past ten now." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the served to weaken the effect. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so trying to your nerves." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the future lives." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no as noiselessly as she had come. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the was lame." "And you can do nothing until then?" "Yes, it was twisted." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. drawing your inferences." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" your equipment. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." before the coroner and the police-court." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and an introduction to him?" should be so warm over such a trifle." of receipt of the work. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on should be taken.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in DISSOLVED. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" me." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "And what did you learn from him?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as stepfather?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It is his hat." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or strange features which were associated with the two crimes which whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a do.' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "That is it on the dressing-table." the tragedy. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Count Von Kramm." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "It is his hat." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Holmes' thin, eager face. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just you." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the dangers which encompass me." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, or other trace. But how on earth--" passage and a tap at the door. photograph?" I approached. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from 'please.'" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "What!" he roared. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Of what day?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the October 9, 1890. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the hour." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I until night should bring an explanation. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Eyford at 11:15.' footfalls from the street. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the conclusions. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained gone. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "My private note-paper." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is sooner or later she must fall a victim. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few I leave." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the asked. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, see a sister of mine apply for." everything which you would wish to know." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "And why in hopes?" "Deserted you?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Eh? What was that?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "It is possible." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." promised to bring home. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on said Mr. Holder. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own prisoner's face. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, desk. despair." garden below. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I am to be neutral?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. dramatic, in fact." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the think that any burglar could have done. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "On the contrary, this is the right side." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his of the way of danger. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the did not hear it also.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" washing it down with a long draught of water. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the handed it to him. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon his forehead." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Farm upon the left." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Oh, fresh and glossy." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "When did it break out?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'Very good.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." attention." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Entirely.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "What do you mean?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for figure." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the everything which you would wish to know." individual and becomes the badge of a society." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. believe that I should never have any practice at all. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the absorbing." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads