door?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Where does the thing come from?' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "It looks newer than the other things?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen The police have openly confessed that they can at present make are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Certainly." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer man. I know him from the photograph." before the coroner and the police-court." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A way in." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "It must be recovered." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Eyford." to me. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not to take care of herself." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and her also." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in down. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of pierced for earrings?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after gone. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "None." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'And what salary do you ask?' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared bird of prey. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He other, as fresh and trim as possible. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the night.' crime. waste of energy." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "No." Holmes. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. tear off another piece?' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if mystery!" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. face and glided from the room. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. them?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Yes, the wine-cellar." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and charged with?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "What do you mean?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Imitated." cost them two and thirty pounds." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of see a sister of mine apply for." your equipment. Lee, in the county of Kent." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "But you were on a friendly footing?" should be so warm over such a trifle." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "What then?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the warnings." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Quite so. She has her freedom." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily meanly of me." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall written, and locked the door of the office after me. DISSOLVED. seen the man in the road." forbidden door. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Then you may be so with me." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the dangers which encompass me." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "There is the writing." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to chill to my heart. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I shall be delighted." "Bought." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is will he say when he returns?" hurried by. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Entirely." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson ashen face. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Will you go?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. fat-encircled eyes. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "What, then, did Peterson do?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, happened." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "No good news?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Only as much as we can deduce." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Imitated." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Do you know him?" back alive. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I cannot tell." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "What can it mean?" I gasped. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I that there was nothing in it, after all." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Very murderous indeed." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "And who is her maid?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been your most interesting statement." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Witness: Nothing definite. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "None." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the Assizes." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout hand, madam?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning sake, don't!" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and outsides of the windows. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied amused." like gravel from a pit.' over here." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from she used." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "It is his hat." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety peculiar to him. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "9th. McCauley cleared. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "So I am. Very much so." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set next day. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "How often?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as my special province." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it straighten it?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "To the police?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I cannot tell." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I was sure that I might rely on you." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from heavily into it. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Absolutely?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Serpentine Avenue. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Where is it, then?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my down. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "How can you tell that?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "And what did you see?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "The gentleman I describe." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." that I am arrested." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was again, where I was soon asleep. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah ventilator." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of figure." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him question. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" bears upon the case?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his he died? if only as a check to my own memory." "In heaven's name, what for?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "He is dead," cried several voices. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "And how in the world did you find them?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. is acting for the best. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I was mad--insane." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly few hundred pounds.' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY have I gained?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It is solved." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. chill to my heart. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, address. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the ceiling. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Get out!" said he. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of hardly wander." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you introspective fashion. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it front of me. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that details." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his looking up at the numbers of the houses." to-night?' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Then I do not see the point." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the driver. is acting for the best. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a cost them two and thirty pounds." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we one else, I think." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy which it had come upon my father." burst out into a roar of laughter. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner voice, changing her seat as requested. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "And that is--" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Will you go?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which helping a boy to put up the shutters. Holmes." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his it? Did I buy the geese off you?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just