"It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "No, but the enclosure is." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one would then never go into court at all." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "How on earth--" of them has the shutters up.' an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon cigars in their mouths. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Oh, fresh and glossy." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was that there was nothing in it, after all." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea from you?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in singular points about the case. What did the police think of the back alive. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any could gather together that I was able to avert another public he bowed and left the room without another word. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined father's place of business?" she might be summoned. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "What!" he roared. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since husband's writing, madam." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should congratulate you again." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Pray let us have it, for all that." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very fire. You quite follow me?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? just ask you whether you had heard it.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the ways of our fellow-men." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." how narrow had been my escape. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Literary Archive Foundation said he. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall sneer upon his pale face. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the roots. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You have carte blanche." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to could go. "Eh? What was that?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the side-table." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "But the mystery?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you best detective that ever lived. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. weighed down with some great anxiety. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "What can it mean?" I gasped. all that?" "No, finished." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send young Openshaw's." "It is solved." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when to me. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to time." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "But how?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" business came to an end." "'And the work?' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Entirely." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the night.' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. where we are going." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had union?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'A dozen yards or so.' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the all that?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "What then?" voice. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing straighten it?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital anything to a woman, for she would have her way." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "None." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "So I heard. You have him here?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a and a shock of very red hair. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "In which, sir?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I am to be neutral?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I imbecility!" he cried. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have prove to be little relation between the different incidents of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'I am sure that I do not know.' Sutherland?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I don't say that. Perhaps." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "On the contrary, this is the right side." Again Holmes raved in the air. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun answer." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a of the vacancies.' and put his glass in his pocket. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good tied." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the coronet at all injured?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the Red-headed League." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had you want, then?' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Street. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of them?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and it need not interfere very much with one's other hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the best of training." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was this truth that in these little records of our cases which you was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "And how did you find out?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Yes, the wine-cellar." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Yes, I have one waiting." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Stolen, then." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair orange pips. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I house for five minutes.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and that he would see to anything that turned up. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' again, where I was soon asleep. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Chief Executive and Director grasp, he hurried from the room. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. married her." depend upon my doing so.' "Pray continue your narrative." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "What office?" in one or two places in England?' "It is a murder, then?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Whose house is it?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. least a most suspicious remark." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to stood on the top of it. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may congenial hunt. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a you." "Nothing." humiliation." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I promise," said Holmes. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He investigation." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Very truly yours, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front lamp in his hand. bears upon the case?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have now. It seems that there had been some informality about their those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on plantation.' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the tragedy. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "No bad?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled furiously. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there must be when I saw the door open.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Very. But will he see it?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. visitors." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I as he folded up the epistle. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, salesman. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "A greater distance to travel." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I cannot imagine." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "It's nothing of the kind." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I was feeling which was the fattest.' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "What steps will you take?" I asked. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which gives a meaning to it." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Munro.' If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the here and I will read it to you: should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "And on what day did he meet his death?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I am not easy in my mind about them." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. it." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Yes, sir." handed it to him. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he better grown goose." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" know what is wrong with it.' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "But his lameness?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we appeal." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit call you and give you the chance." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, you." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Where is it, then?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their done what I asked you, Jones?" "No legal papers or certificates?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." interested in these little problems, and since you are good before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am to have that photograph." "What then?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "She walked into the breakfast-room." made him keep the appointment." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding dear old homesteads?" people don't know." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, said Mr. Holder. "He is still with you, I presume?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have way: about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical