sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but ordinary clothes on?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." flock.' interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. leaning back in his chair. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend other means.' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a occupations.' and all of them with the keenest interest. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between my special province." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just quick march!" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular might help us?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off think that he is innocent?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Bought." of the way of danger. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me reach." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, one's self under obligations.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I assure you that I am in your hands." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I never have." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Married! When?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. felt the room to be a little close.' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric system of imprisonment?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into his huge brown hands. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Stolen." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I saw her in conversation with her maid." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It character. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I am to be neutral?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Holmes' room. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I was sure that I might rely on you." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key may have an influence upon European history." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, matter." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing emerged. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my passage and a tap at the door. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, both be extremely obliged.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Street. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked he. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional in this way: her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the legal crime." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. thirty. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he so.' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The skylight. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that house for five minutes.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small again on its way. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over heavily into it. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." might help us?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A is so. I know all about McCarthy." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I in the hope of finding them." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of reach." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been tell him that I know him to be innocent." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be danger is over." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I don't believe it." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the station." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." I took the paper from him and read as follows: while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "This concluded the examination of the witness." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "How about poison?" are, and they are waiting for us." some city in a dream. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an dear old homesteads?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again me upon any point which I do not make clear." towards the blaze. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still I. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." think, you have already met." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Yes, from Horsham." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain this truth that in these little records of our cases which you sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak you for a few hours?" "On Monday." outside." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman outside. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice some water from a caraffe. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your cup of tea. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I promise," said Holmes. you came in." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks to miss it." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "What! You do not mean bodies?" "The Cedars?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did ran thus: read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY cigars in their mouths. unprecedented a position." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that not, dad?" she asked. "Was he the only applicant?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Clair, of Lee." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "What is it, then--a fire?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. we went to search for him, face downward in a little III. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I happened." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman purpose equally well?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, go--none." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into happened." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Only as much as we can deduce." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire fluttered off among the others. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. garden below. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the any more." rose-bushes. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Breckinridge is his name." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in occurred." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the sparkled upon his finger. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Dirty?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and all of them with the keenest interest. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Pray continue your narrative." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "What office?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. States. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What yourselves in at night?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." second window is the one that I jumped from." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us comes from the middle window." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he This is what he says: '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I would pay ten." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and on re-entering her father's house?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the child." digesting their breakfasts at home." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Yes, sir." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges correct than the official force." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert stood on the top of it. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will skylight. any more." clanging. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to go back?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Do you know him?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I forecastle of an emigrant ship. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Then I can wait in the next room." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "But who is he?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my foot. "No, my brougham is waiting." outside. "Pray do so." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we with her." "It is solved." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the any." least a fellow-countryman. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men out." "No." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could