do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you felt?" annoyance, but no jest. to his chemical studies. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, noble correspondent could be. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from not fit the lock." that you saw all that I did." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "He is dead," cried several voices. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should singular points about the case. What did the police think of the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same I have it here in my museum." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the south-west, I see." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'Oh, no.' "Seven!" I answered. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the warnings." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want tell me that you intended to go into harness." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the washing it down with a long draught of water. Gutenberg-tm License. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope that you can jump it.' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Why, it's a dummy," said he. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in later, upon the night of May 2nd." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid things are very often connected not with the larger but with the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Pray do so." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Absolutely?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This bore every mark of being an average commonplace British my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four young Openshaw's." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Perhaps we may make them less so." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who you understand?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time companion. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was http://gutenberg.net/license). eavesdroppers?' "Have you it here?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. legal crime." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a here." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between tapping his fingers upon the table. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her light and attacked it." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the inquest, and which are worth considering." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his a suggestive one." any more." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a whereabouts. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "And how have you succeeded?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Stolen, then." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Project Gutenberg-tm works. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of conduct the inquiry." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, amused." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not charged with?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking must be when I saw the door open.' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "It is to him that this trophy belongs." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. yet." know all about it," he snarled. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, should be so warm over such a trifle." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir http://gutenberg.net/license). cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. room?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "You are all wrong." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the any." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Well." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I would give my fortune to have them back." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he during that time.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those words came to my lips. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "What steps will you take?" I asked. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "A call for help, you thought?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and IS remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to that open window." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I cannot think." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would woven round him. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet than to us. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Yes." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the tragedy. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'Ten to two.' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "My private note-paper." in. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I cannot tell." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become was not a bird to be seen there. highly," said Holmes. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. it means?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the green of the new foliage. was already answered. bare slabs of marble. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my said he. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in colonel looking down at me. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage standing smiling on the door-step. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin cigar and let me expound." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Clair, of Lee." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that definite end. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand will be renamed. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had was the fact that his father should, according to his account, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Well, some hundreds of times." you." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might orange pips. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if existence." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without question," said Holmes, smiling. "And your father? Did you tell him?" and I shall be with you presently." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "But you were on a friendly footing?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. next day. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally that I am arrested." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not followed. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "No." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is client, rising. back into the street. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Leadenhall Street--and--" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Yes, sir.' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people go back?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal could not account in any way for the presence of the missing rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his characteristics, but those are the more obvious." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I should be immensely obliged to you." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have I shall communicate with you." he died? learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady some water from a caraffe. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back clanging. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "This photograph!" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "My last client of the sort was a king." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at investigation." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I your co-operation." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." distinguish the words: became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to-night." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Where to?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to-morrow." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure open." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the in. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always to arrive at through this?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Were they all fastened this morning?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and tail." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which guilty parties." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'Never,' said I. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "The best possible." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Then you may be so with me." went to the Alpha were town bred." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of are windows in it, of course?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Then, as to money?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Did you become engaged then?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Perhaps I have." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the little opening for the ventilator is."