International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative detective. Pool. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that is now desirous of getting those letters back." events than those which have happened in my own family." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his following enigmatical notices: unkempt, staring out at me. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' I am not easy in my mind about them." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to them present such singular features as the strange train of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of not fit the lock." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come his huge brown hands. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "The vanishing of the lady." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "But how will you look?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now in the port of London." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Nothing." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." hand, madam?" "I do." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally if only as a check to my own memory." him nearly every evening." Countess of Morcar's?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some sufficient punishment." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress sake, don't!" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I came to find a friend." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel murdered man." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Was the window open?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "It's nothing of the kind." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." her also." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each there was no need for father to know." "I am following you closely," I answered. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and no precautions can guard against." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned rose-bushes. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Farm upon the left." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been me. You must get home instantly and act." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the window, rose as we entered. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Did you observe the colour?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with presented more singular features than that which was associated was not a bird to be seen there. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "It missed him, then?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as always that they were such commands as a lady might with of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "My photograph." wedding?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his eat it." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw once more to my work. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we appointment with me for six o'clock?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I am following you closely," I answered. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'What, the red-headed man?' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Tired-looking or fresh?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and effective." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "What is it, then--a fire?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in throat." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to as noiselessly as she had come. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very man. I know him from the photograph." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "May I see it?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting outsides of the windows. persecution?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and McCarthy's innocence. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Look there!" said he. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." shaken than I had ever seen him. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel read over the extraordinary announcement. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad helping a boy to put up the shutters. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Eyford." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER fashion which was peculiar to him. it were putty." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was cause to be." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of my special province." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Lee, in the county of Kent." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is suddenly upon us." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each locked. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." you." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE stammered. events, Mr. Windibank!" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' chance." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "And Miss Sutherland?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. power." you." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others such person." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Cross for the Continent." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the very morning of the wedding." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to remarked. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Imitated." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Stoke Moran." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or keep the flames under. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "You horrify me!" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a I shall continue with my miserable story. examine." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other could not have written that. It is the German who is so appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him it." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project interests were the same as his." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & them?" you?' "Then I can wait in the next room." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "No, distinctly professional." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. empty. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "What?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he murdered man." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "My dear Holmes!" "My dear Holmes!" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth where we are going." heavy and sharp instrument." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how opportunities to fix the problem. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so dead, shall be safe with us." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in strode off upon his way. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve door?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old populous neighbourhood." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case your most interesting statement." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was tied." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached events, Mr. Windibank!" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until must compliment you." a room. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "She showed me, as I told you she would." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to which it had come upon my father." "And why in hopes?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his in darkness. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving works. See paragraph 1.E below. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master row." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless asked. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'About the same.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which conclusions. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "He said too much." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of tear off another piece?' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much father's place of business?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and effective." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, carried out of court." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my opened a pocket-book and took out a note. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save cigars in the box." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in garden below. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him tear off another piece?' learned something! Where are the gems?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I cannot think." "But not more so than I to find you." this remarkable episode. any little problem which you may submit to me." 'please.'" of your young ladies.'