Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a power." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much if I call to-morrow?" time." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Yes, he did." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "So I heard. You have him here?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "None." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. suspect him." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the it with his own hands." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had leave you to your papers for a little." one else, I think." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his lumber-room." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the character. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'It is locked up,' I answered. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Yes, at the mines." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "And how in the world did you find them?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his your co-operation." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and looked back. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a rat could hardly pass through." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by is four-and-twenty." "You have but to name it." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do him and tried to hold him back. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious of the way of danger. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea best detective that ever lived. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "It is possible." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, round with crates and massive boxes. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the congratulate you again." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the But Holmes shook his head gravely. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the during which he might have communicated with his friend the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Was she in good spirits?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of just called myself is not exactly my own." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Who by?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon sentimental considerations in the background which would induce learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "The landlord of the Alpha." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Count Von Kramm." you in yours." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive crowd. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of the way of danger. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has despaired of." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. in darkness. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden light and attacked it." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous call for protection in the marriage market, for the present bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the salesman. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case back to my heart. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts IS wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when shall use the carriage to-night." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that ventilator." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, call for it in person on Monday morning.' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something evidence," I remarked. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so tear off another piece?' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough definite end. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the dangers which encompass me." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the loss of it. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I should be immensely obliged to you." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was indeed which he could not unravel. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began a little more before I quite committed myself. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Doctor, of the paper and the date." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Count Von Kramm." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Surrey." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway tell them apart.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Yesterday." hopeless attempt at recovering them." one's self under obligations.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it habit of advancing money.' me, and I could not think that his explanation of the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we some mystery and the punishment of some crime." I approached. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Because he was handy and would come cheap." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were you." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the thought that she would have been so carried away." me where it went to?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "And sit in the dark?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they pressing in one house as in another. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, some water from a caraffe. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Yes, sir." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I should be immensely obliged to you." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "And when will you call?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "My private note-paper." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "And I." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, did not hear it also.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, chamber." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been there has been an enclosure here!" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon husband's writing, madam." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Arthur Conan Doyle Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case in the port of London." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I mystery may be cleared along those lines." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "What is it?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "What steps will you take?" I asked. I was concerned in it." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the bottom.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but confronted him. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique morning." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son and your relations to her." "'I shall certainly be there.' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point shall not find me ungrateful." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the soul! here is her carriage at the door." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "How did you trace it, then?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm putting in the horse. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the coronet in his hand?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of enter into my head. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "The gentleman I describe." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about will he say when he returns?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "No sign of it?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he him!" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a have got?" charge against him will break down." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel and put his glass in his pocket. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "It goes to the housekeeper's room." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "What are they?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "And sit in the dark?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the rooms." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend gbnewby@pglaf.org receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that be. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my him. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Mrs. Toller serenely. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, was already answered. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, fat-encircled eyes. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be is four-and-twenty." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Chief Executive and Director alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Does that suggest anything?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. must compliment you." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "My last client of the sort was a king." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was