She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." public press." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the loss of it. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside together. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little tassel actually lying upon the pillow. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I shall most certainly do so." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we ran thus: "Nearly eleven." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Gutenberg-tm License. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You within hail.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand which it had come upon my father." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, you, my dear young lady?' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five happened." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and that he would see to anything that turned up. fattened it expressly for you.' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It you understand?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." least a fellow-countryman. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Lee, in the county of Kent." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "There is the writing." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my for securing the situation." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters outbreak?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience paper in the air. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and the church but not where the lady lived." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time once more. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "9th. McCauley cleared. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Holmes rather sternly. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I have come for advice." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her visitors." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their said he. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." married her." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the his wife has ceased to love him." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Where, then, is my wife?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever wedding?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I to miss it." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the very morning of the wedding." "I assure you that I am in your hands." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "That is not always so easy." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come his eyes and forehead. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Not in a good cause." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'Certainly not. But why?' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." upon an income of about 60 pounds." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I some water from a caraffe. "Yes." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'Why that?' I asks. was it brought him the coronet? "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Then the page we have seen--" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew will find little credit to be gained out of this case." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the date of his supposed suicide." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not despaired of." room. off." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under of Mr. Rucastle's." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Yes." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Then I do not see the point." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy any more." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "It is possible." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with grasp, he hurried from the room. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? she used." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink about. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I would pay ten." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Never to return." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I am in hopes that she does." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled client, rising. "Never." and effective." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and fear." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible again before evening." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Precisely so. But how--" events than those which have happened in my own family." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" house for five minutes.' have established a very serious case against the son of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was in this way: glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the King without delay." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile and shall probably return to London by the evening train." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the little opening for the ventilator is." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and laid it on the table. "ARAT," I read. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "And how did he make his money?" in a friendly supper." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might prisoner's face. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" http://gutenberg.net/license). have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Never." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "What will you say?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. with you alone." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "She will not sell." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his conclusions. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its residence of the great financier. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers room. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." taking in every detail of the apartment. may have an influence upon European history." conclusions. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What daring than any effort of the imagination." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will if only as a check to my own memory." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the roots. about. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the nursery. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close purpose of examination. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. where she found matters as described by the last witness. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and habit of advancing money.' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Pope's Court, Fleet Street." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it goes." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the with you?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "To an end?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had to affect your life." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the have an American origin." and wait." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such as yours." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you was a perfect sample of the class. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to Leatherhead. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, your own bird, so if you wish--" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in have accepted such a situation. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and shall probably return to London by the evening train." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident drove away. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Yes." the devil!" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon coat-tails." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Pray be precise as to details," said he. were unconscious?" "'Quite sure, dad.' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me from you?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some distinguish the words: "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly did not hear it also.' strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting