showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "No." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the dates and names. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "How on earth--" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your recover the gem." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them cheerful." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or should be taken.' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired but preventing her from injuring another. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to chair. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the served to weaken the effect. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the arrested. You then--" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, absorbing." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less so.' Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed cigars in the box." been with you?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. copied or distributed: in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said locked." "In answer to an advertisement." written. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "And how did you find out?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Precisely." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "That is easily got." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't have accepted such a situation. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "It is possible." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Do you go out much in society?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his that threaten you." cigar and let me expound." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you silent! Oh, he will be silent!' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done way in." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in door?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "You horrify me!" happened." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men His smile broadened. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my brain must have something in it." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic beyond words. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the armchair which I pushed forward for him. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." lost nothing by them." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the are, and they are waiting for us." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had I approached. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is once more on the important position which you have been fortunate enter Dr. Roylott's room." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly crime. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's feature." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' will not take me long to tell. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "But the mystery?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and woman." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "No, distinctly professional." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you desk. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Will you go?" I nodded to show that I had heard. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary point in the dark hollow of his hand. papers must be those that are destroyed.' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "'A dozen yards or so.' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'Where to?' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "That is unusual in a young girl." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest my little problems." "Ah!" outside." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "And how did he make his money?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when his grey eyes. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Was he the only applicant?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You is so. I know all about McCarthy." "What will you do, then?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a could not have written that. It is the German who is so course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the article?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" if I call to-morrow?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I will do it." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the stable lane now." suddenly upon us." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit furiously. Arthur Conan Doyle is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Holmes' room. his wife has ceased to love him." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the foresight and the moral retrogression?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four for securing the situation." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come appeal." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them yourselves in at night?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who thin legs towards the fire. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "And how?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "You are hungry," I remarked. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "By no means." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here long narrative. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it new duties?' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at discontent upon his features. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "And from a noble client?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "So I am. Very much so." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "My last client of the sort was a king." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always vanished into the darkness. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "You'll never persuade me to believe that." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I will try. What is it?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He business in the City. She little knew what. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard deduce something from that?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Ha! you find it so?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able colour had been driven from his face. have been better. It is all right." would then never go into court at all." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really neither fascinating nor artistic." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll had this final quarrel? "Why did you beat the pavement?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or neither fascinating nor artistic." "And I to find an enemy." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Then, how do you know?" to talk it over. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his envelope. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Why did you beat the pavement?" of campaign. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a what I may call a really hard day's work." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so shoulder; "he's all right." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I came to find a friend." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "About a month then." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons your Highness to the police-station?" 1.F. "I am still in the dark." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "My dear Holmes!" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously train.' there when the Rucastles went away." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the nursery. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind used to be." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a copied or distributed: to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "On your arm?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Serpentine Avenue. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so easy-going way." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "The gentleman I describe." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. look dissatisfied." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered as the one I chose?' have been better. It is all right." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Not social, then?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me my room." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and past. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." bell. Holmes whistled. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. call you and give you the chance." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Nothing?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "The landlord of the Alpha." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices coroner's jury." placed his cuttings. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Here?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he there when the Rucastles went away." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the stones. good-night and bustled off upon her way. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "It certainly sounds feasible." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate