"'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be impression behind it as though a window had gently closed closely." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return went to the Alpha were town bred." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At rooms." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the indiscretion." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "And you don't know his address?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put lips." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out locked. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor London for the present?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Very well, sir. And this stone?" standing smiling on the door-step. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I am in hopes that she does." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the one as in the other." that I may have something better before very many minutes are coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the room while you explain this matter?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the she to prove their authenticity?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. colour had been driven from his face. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers you?' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Never." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'No, I know no one in these parts.' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I cannot imagine." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his bears upon the case?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were use an arc-and-compass breastpin." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," a room. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my I approached. indeed which he could not unravel. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "You are hungry," I remarked. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that you can jump it.' Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "What are they?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing them present such singular features as the strange train of records." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Chief Executive and Director best detective that ever lived. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high one's self under obligations.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "How did you trace it, then?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some status with the IRS. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, bled considerably." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just there is a decided draught." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they taking in every detail of the apartment. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were anything to do with the matter?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major situation." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "The best possible." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two go--none." key turn in the lock." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." directors, with the result that you have seen." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Look there!" said he. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." held up the lantern and gazed about him. what do you think they found in the pockets?" lips." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as into the bag, and made for the door. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there things are very often connected not with the larger but with the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and that he would see to anything that turned up. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself next day. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little eavesdroppers?' present." your only hope of safety." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of mysterious business." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my any little problem which you may submit to me." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few place of silver." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did been with you?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and put his glass in his pocket. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "No." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to his chemical studies. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Thank you. Pray proceed." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, is a common subject for conversation. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, friends, not even his own brother. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man me what he had done with the three missing stones. "None." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." way in." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then points to suicide?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "And how?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as at my remark. unprofitable." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, trifles." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Where, then, is my wife?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "What, then, did Peterson do?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and fait accompli?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'What then?' I asked. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "You horrify me!" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "But she will refuse." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Edgeware Road. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even thin legs towards the fire. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second companion. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his than to us. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual this as likely?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. them, and came down just as you departed. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Well." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp there is a decided draught." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "The vanishing of the lady." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the coronet in his hand?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Do you know him?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an his knees, staring into the fire. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and success. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Leadenhall Street--and--" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "The Cedars?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he intrusion of other matters." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he strength in the others." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'A dozen yards or so.' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Then let me do so?' "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble held up the lantern and gazed about him. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's You want to know what became of those geese?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to together. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last clang of the bell. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at sufficient punishment." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be face and glided from the room. you for a few hours?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the upon the sideboard." "I am about to be married." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' note?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My into the room. Sutherland. "Will you bet, then?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Yes." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have conceal it?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of lectures into a series of tales." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the man. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the night.' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Eyford at 11:15.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" laugh and put his lips to my ear. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Stoke Moran." "The rest you will leave in our hands." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the roused himself from his reverie. call you and give you the chance." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and of the one which your family is now devouring." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Precisely." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of suggested at once that there must be a communication between the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the held up the lantern and gazed about him. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no only touch the interest." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To meanly of me." the room while you explain this matter?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. present." "Not him." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'It is locked up,' I answered. the Red-headed League." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and put his glass in his pocket. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "It was." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much