seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his fatally injured? lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "None." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is without a word or a look. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Murdered?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his compunction about shooting them down." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest brought there to personate someone, and the real person is utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "But who is he?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "No." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I should wish to." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Very much so." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "But she will refuse." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's case-book, which he consulted. gone. that he has suffered." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Yes." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" overpowering excitement and concern. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, sneer upon his pale face. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, fishes. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an sit on the left-hand side of the driver." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you new acquaintance to Baker Street. Heh?' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened that he has suffered." seem to you to be relevant or not." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further one else, I think." we went to search for him, face downward in a little Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "And you don't know his address?" shall not find me ungrateful." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very not, dad?" she asked. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings weighed down with some great anxiety. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "And your mother is alive?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And I." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I better in every way that they should make their position a little "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. reach." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to chemical work which was so dear to him. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your singular points about the case. What did the police think of the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to The summons was a brief and urgent one. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. McCarthy." appeal." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "But you can know nothing of this?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house question," said Holmes, smiling. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon wedding?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I have hopes." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable brandy and water within his reach. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of never will be, entirely cleared up. formed some opinion?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that remarked. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once definite end. daring than any effort of the imagination." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a like gravel from a pit.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind would then never go into court at all." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes bearing upon the case." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which From what you have told me I think that it is possible that autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a strode off upon his way. father's young wife. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "The murder was done with it." served to weaken the effect. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you as noiselessly as she had come. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, to a more successful conclusion." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, me what he had done with the three missing stones. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "What will you say?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "It is very clear." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "It was an hour's good drive." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, once more to my work. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three will be renamed. Chief Executive and Director invisible to me," I remarked. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. friend's singular character. trifles." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was that he has suffered." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has The telegram which we eventually received came late one night half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a matter over." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." 1.F. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together digesting their breakfasts at home." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled row." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I will, Miss Turner." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I have my revolver," said I. "It's nothing of the kind." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I am sure." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had desk. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more both be extremely obliged.' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We country, and eventually married, without anyone having a ceremony." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled was it brought him the coronet? orange pips. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "No, finished." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, populous neighbourhood." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Yes, he did." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met page at http://pglaf.org position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch meant it for the best. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire was keenly on my guard against him. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and laid it on the table. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon conduct the inquiry." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Perhaps I have." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he key of the affair now." strength." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, beg that you will break it off." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Ample." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Young McCarthy must be got off, however." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, felt?" forebodings. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock keep the flames under. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "So I am. Very much so." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Nothing." "You don't mind breaking the law?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name even of instruction." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the me. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "And you can do nothing until then?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not I took the paper from him and read as follows: kind enough to tell me what I should do." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of it with the greatest attention. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'And the work?' death." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the wall." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you cheerful." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his will he say when he returns?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the at once, for I have only half an hour." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most meanly of me." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Where did he live, then?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do call for it in person on Monday morning.' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "And sit in the dark?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Yes.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Pray let us have it, for all that." sofa. This way, please!" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to wanted for ourselves." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "The decline of his fortunes, then?" vanished into the darkness. politicians who had been sent down from the North. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Certainly not. But why?' make me his representative both with the servants and with the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the yet." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Your French gold?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "But she will refuse." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Then I do not see the point." "Was he the only applicant?" "Just look it up, then." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is