from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Proceed, then." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through to where he stood hid behind the curtain. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. quick march!" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable lamp. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "No good news?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, tension within him. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. one of them." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Upon what point?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Pope's Court. "How do you know, then?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Project Gutenberg-tm works. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "What do you mean?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Serpentine Avenue. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that quite distinctive." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged because she had spent so short a time in this country that she hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat guilty parties." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his that threaten you." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Tired-looking or fresh?" developed." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and prosperity to your house. Good-night." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Of Friday, June 19th." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Countess of Morcar's?" which we had just quitted. strong and stiff." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a pressing in one house as in another. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect man. I know him from the photograph." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the himself to hunt down. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie away to you." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted sufficient punishment." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to down. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at cigars in the box." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. you?' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I know where it is." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest garden below. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the coronet at all injured?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Literary Archive Foundation among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'Ten to two.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that our word." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must call the police, let the police find what they can.' time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "My dear Holmes!" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Doctor, of the paper and the date." colour had been driven from his face. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Pool. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "A client, then?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Well, some hundreds of times." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Clair, of Lee." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" as he folded up the epistle. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "What steps will you take?" I asked. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the so far?" in his hands." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Pray do so." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep several quiet little villages up there." "She walked into the breakfast-room." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the of Fenchurch Street." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to surprise her." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, your equipment. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the Assizes." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended to-night?' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, really the only notable feature about the thing." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "One of his hands." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "But how?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off made him keep the appointment." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Ample." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. again on its way. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was one else, I think." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and an introduction to him?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "But how?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to said I. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really results." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "It is very kind of you." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. time." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Precisely." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "And Miss Sutherland?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper straighten it?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being country, and eventually married, without anyone having a disappearance of these gems?" "And your mother is alive?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "And I." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these bird of prey. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open know what is wrong with it.' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I nothing of it?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Your sister is dead, then?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Miss Holder?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. trying to your nerves." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Texas, I think." the matter?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all to some other building. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, never to learn it at all." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I will try. What is it?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "But she could not love him." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "We have tried and failed." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Eh? What was that?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not over here." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a footfalls from the street. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon of Mr. Rucastle's." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I shall be delighted." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "They are typewritten," I remarked. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all way in." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. figure." "And I." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' him and tried to hold him back. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I have it here in my museum." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Miss Holder?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Have you good authority for what you say?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the little opening for the ventilator is." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of do you make of it all?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." yards of it?' "And I to find an enemy." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, you." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It conduct the inquiry."