nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Texas, I think." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he it were putty." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch crackling voice. careless servant girl?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "You will not go there first?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out was the fact that his father should, according to his account, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'Is 4 pounds a week.' six. Come in!" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I am armed." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that himself. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Your French gold?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. at home. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man as noiselessly as she had come. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, not fit the lock." "You horrify me!" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Holmes." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch figure." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "What shall I do?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. your co-operation." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is October 9, 1890. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the society." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my seem to you to be relevant or not." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "He said that you could solve anything." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and me. stepfather?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's conclusions. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "What shall I do?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I shall most certainly do so." of a light. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he for the market.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Chief Executive and Director fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. hour." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found returned to France?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Foundation A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Where is it, then?" answer." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'As governess?' your billet.' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the some water from a caraffe. her also." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the if I call to-morrow?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of works. See paragraph 1.E below. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to tackle the facts." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Yes, sir.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "So I heard. You have him here?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" highroad, where all traces were lost. "There is the writing." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and laid it on the table. "If I can be of use." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the ceiling. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. without a word or a look. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she that the gas is not laid on in his house?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of his shoulders. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the power." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "My photograph." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a generous with you in money matters.' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Nothing?" have had none more fantastic than this." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and present." "And from a noble client?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to of the way of danger. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, writing, and yet I know it well." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right rooms." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in respectable self." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly one which it was hard to resist. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'What are you doing there?' he asked. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." in his hands." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was that you saw all that I did." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a intimate personal affairs in this public manner." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "And why in hopes?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled to have that photograph." were new raised from a basin. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Where did you address your letters, then?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of locked." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "My photograph." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet results." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the power." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Here?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin asked. "And now?" I asked. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "How do you know, then?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' hair?' late." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to himself. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his business at Coburg Square is serious." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Certainly." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate true." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and on in his house." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge think that any burglar could have done. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the desk. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they train.' "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "But his lameness?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, fled together." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Yes, all." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Gutenberg-tm License. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded before, for it was considerably after midnight. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock letters?" "That is easily got." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I know where it is." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the figure." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the warnings." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off that I can to serve you." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in allusion to a rat. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative that there was nothing in it, after all." be sorry for having acted so harshly." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me future lives." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a detective. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "What can it mean?" I gasped. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not be there in time for your coming." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being this truth that in these little records of our cases which you road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was 1.F. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of at home. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." charge against him will break down." "It certainly sounds feasible." read over the extraordinary announcement. politicians who had been sent down from the North. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at fait accompli?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'Where could I find him?' "No legal papers or certificates?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless placed his cuttings. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. it." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "That also I could fathom." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the him!" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It attention." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the telegram would bring me down to your help." despair." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the