It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." it." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the ceiling. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "When did it break out?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat legal crime." "Married! When?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small official police." "It came here." people don't know." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend strong reason behind." few hundred pounds.' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Yes." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed conversation I have gathered that they have been married about we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can round with crates and massive boxes. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. learned something! Where are the gems?" daring than any effort of the imagination." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would companion. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I you." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, tied." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I will do it." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the photograph?" be.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is occurred." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Sutherland. in. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I will not look." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "But you have hopes?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "How can you tell that?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He written, and locked the door of the office after me. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Where is it, then?" of a light. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when putting in the horse. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Married! When?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "And the cigar-holder?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. distinguish the words: "I have seen the police." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Yes." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my what I may call a really hard day's work." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from that before taking the final step I should like to submit the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman signal between you and your father? there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no was lame." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly train from Paddington which would bring you there at about took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed business." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and burst out into a roar of laughter. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your their singular warning or token before them when starting upon detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "But of what society?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to you." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each which it had come upon my father." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR stammered. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of to you." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of was not a bird to be seen there. "You have compromised yourself seriously." hour?' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across vault. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE you came in." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the salesman. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." call for it in person on Monday morning.' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Very. But will he see it?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I fear not." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you there has been an enclosure here!" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "It was." people don't know." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. three of the beryls in it, was missing. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did my little problems." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as as noiselessly as she had come. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "But how did you gain them?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of drove away. "So I am. Very much so." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few stood on the top of it. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "But she could not love him." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "10th. John Swain cleared. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "You will not go there first?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as tassel actually lying upon the pillow. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "And leave your case unfinished?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I never have." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Holmes rather sternly. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the delirious. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. presented more singular features than that which was associated hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the occupations.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is happened." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of third from London." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was place, I think that there is good ground to think that the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to sneer upon his pale face. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he with some details as to your case." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "He slept on the premises." "Your French gold?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. was a lad." bearing upon the case." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I am all attention, madam." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the King without delay." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but society." "'And what salary do you ask?' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "It was a confession," I ejaculated. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are place, I think that there is good ground to think that the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. chill to my heart. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to was already answered. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and interested in these little problems, and since you are good "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary you understand?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been infinite languor in his face. yourselves in at night?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day you understand?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger down from London to inquire more deeply into it." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "No, finished." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his for the market.' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to them?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing taking in every detail of the apartment. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "No more words. Get out!" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I know where it is." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an that the gas is not laid on in his house?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Upon what point?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Frequently." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Well, but China?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The King of Scandinavia." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in correct than the official force." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "None. Neville wrote those words." down. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" been." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary himself to hunt down. "I am about to be married." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting that he has suffered." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the matter?" in his hands." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "It looks newer than the other things?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'Most admirably.' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "By all means." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with gbnewby@pglaf.org crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Breckinridge is his name." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I will try. What is it?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "What, then, did Peterson do?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "He is dead," cried several voices. "I say it is." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is indeed happy." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow of this gang." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a situation." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Why did you pick him?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had sound at heart." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "It must be recovered." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the which it had come upon my father." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. business?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which danger is over." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "And your father? Did you tell him?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Yes, sir.' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Well, but China?" even of instruction." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door families. Now for the facts. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Holmes rather sternly. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. heavy and sharp instrument." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical depend upon your compliance." excitement. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Is he quiet?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have come either from the window or the door. My attention was vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in salesman. had picked up in the wood. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I ventilator." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the that threaten you." "I have seen the police." spark where all is dark to me." of receipt of the work. "This photograph!" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "And what then?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Pope's Court, Fleet Street." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I giving me time to thank him. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I am about to be married." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to congratulate you again."