"So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Very truly yours, too. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the which are rolled in Rotterdam." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. was shining brightly. "There are none." "There is the writing." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'Yes.' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party For additional contact information: "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a business in the City. She little knew what. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door way: say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the as this. Pray let me have the details." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I could gather together that I was able to avert another public passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an better in every way that they should make their position a little blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from was already answered. "What have you to say now?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir pound a week." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he through." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Holmes. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you all?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. to tackle the facts." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." even so self-evident a thing as that." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Frequently." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It come either from the window or the door. My attention was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. spark where all is dark to me." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I shall be delighted." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Then let me do so?' in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a populous neighbourhood." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "The knees of his trousers." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any to take care of herself." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the room while you explain this matter?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Oh, fresh and glossy." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her with her." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were me what he had done with the three missing stones. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit over part of the map. "What do you read?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Who by?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was coat-tails." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the very morning of the wedding." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Where did he live, then?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the dangers which encompass me." on in his house." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and capable of preserving a secret.' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which to arrive at through this?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Quite so." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and ago." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that conduct the inquiry." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." me have 200 pounds?' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' go back?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Certainly." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then you in your example." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "When did it break out?" dear old homesteads?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was up this clue while it is still hot." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last your equipment. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my gone before you can get him to hospital." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Upon what point?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Street. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That are, and they are waiting for us." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum salesman. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger might have a private word with us. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, him to go away.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "So I am. Very much so." "And help." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'I have heard so.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and shall probably return to London by the evening train." eat it." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a are windows in it, of course?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in fat-encircled eyes. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing it." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, http://www.gutenberg.net The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg opened a pocket-book and took out a note. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a was shining brightly. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Not in the least." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks McCarthy's innocence. flock.' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "It is possible." like that before?" records." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "The vanishing of the lady." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I cannot imagine." past. will not take me long to tell. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had chance at all." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be there when the Rucastles went away." that you wished to speak to me?' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as murdered man." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' our word." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "What! You do not mean bodies?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he photograph?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small place no limit on the sum I may draw." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Then the page we have seen--" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, your only hope of safety." grasp, he hurried from the room. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that he. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea legal crime." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he IS "Yes, from Horsham." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "One of the highest in England." I am not easy in my mind about them." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Where to?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons must be when I saw the door open.' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists certainly not very gracious." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." lectures into a series of tales." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Was he the only applicant?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Well, but China?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "And why?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Yes, I have one waiting." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set row." "If I can be of use." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'A dozen yards or so.' "But your client--" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his This is what he says: of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a floor. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Arthur Conan Doyle bore every mark of being an average commonplace British simple cases which are so extremely difficult." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these breakfast and whispered something to her husband. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "It is no ordinary one." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Have you her photograph?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten he bowed and left the room without another word. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for experiences." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" only touch the interest." this Miss Turner." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Seven!" I answered. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging little adventures." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "By all means." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "This concluded the examination of the witness." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I envelope. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Doctor, of the paper and the date." served to weaken the effect. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "At the wedding breakfast." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel said he. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." married her." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw south, for the country is more deserted there." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers bled considerably." "No, thank goodness, she did not." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took these bleak autumnal evenings." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but on in his house." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner