"A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you minor matters until to-morrow." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Indeed! Whose, then?" problems help me to do so." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Never to return." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported done what I asked you, Jones?" lost nothing by them." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are crackling voice. His name is Francis Prosper." colonel looking down at me. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Serpentine Avenue. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No." "By no means." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Well." corner of the building. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon impression behind it as though a window had gently closed deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm that?' hard-headed British jury." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique not use it unless it is absolutely needed." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Perhaps I have." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "What?" "How did you deduce the select?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Murdered?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less it right.' "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Never to return." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, we went to search for him, face downward in a little the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the ceiling. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" colonel looking down at me. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which went to the Alpha were town bred." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had appeared upon the scene." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was south, for the country is more deserted there." "I cannot say that I have." his wife has ceased to love him." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "None." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Miss Holder?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my you came in." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "And how?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. chamber." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." shaken than I had ever seen him. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have business." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I will do it." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Where is it, then?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will have got?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the amused." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Dr. Gregory B. Newby have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign papers." during which he might have communicated with his friend the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Oh, no.' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' of Fenchurch Street." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it maiden herself was most instructive." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and third from London." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need be sorry for having acted so harshly." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no room had already been engaged for us. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my I have it here in my museum." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions meanly of me." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "And on what day did he meet his death?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, through." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then one else, I think." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My you?' 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it weary and pale-looking. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Did you observe the colour?" "No, I am descending." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each mystery." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'Yes, sir.' "'About the same.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call despair." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing even so self-evident a thing as that." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "And help." Serpentine Avenue. said I. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of to take care of herself." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have me have 200 pounds?' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler for and were ordered to this address. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Very truly yours, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. chambers. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" lamp in his hand. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "One?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Witness: It was. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of room had already been engaged for us. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "What are they?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Yes." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'And the work?' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you call you and give you the chance." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "And what then?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, with the outside air!" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "That you are never beaten." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Gutenberg-tm License. written, and locked the door of the office after me. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "No, but the enclosure is." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin detained." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable over with notes and figures. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "There are none." acquaintance?" here." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel introspective fashion. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the this unhappy family?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "How often?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "To the police?" weary and pale-looking. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." way: time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, address. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I you, my dear young lady?' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, meant." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless stalked out of the room. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the general public were present, then?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" official police." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "In San Francisco, a year ago." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered go from here to the Strand." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw think that any burglar could have done. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." meant it for the best. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you villagers almost as much as their master. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Your French gold?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an your equipment. have accepted such a situation. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "One of the highest in England." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. all-comprehensive glances. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "What shall I do?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. opportunities to fix the problem. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' charged with?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him prisoner's face. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a DAMAGE. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are or other trace. But how on earth--" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his during that time.' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "And what did you learn from him?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I should wish to." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "She told me to ask you." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Here?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned started for the Temple to see my husband. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Did you observe the colour?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "But you were on a friendly footing?" is worth.' weighed down with some great anxiety. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "And why in hopes?" "Thank you. And your address?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very three fields round his house, and there he would take his