Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "What then?" direction." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some better grown goose." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Is he quiet?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest hopeless attempt at recovering them." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." know that the truth is known." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the better grown goose." fasten all the windows?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." you." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a go--none." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "But you can know nothing of this?" this poor creature." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of think that he is innocent?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "But I am all in the dark." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Yes, the wine-cellar." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate with you?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, province." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off she used." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. meant it for the best. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "She will not sell." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I will he say when he returns?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are fatally injured? "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing interest. They are important, you understand, without being at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Literary Archive Foundation fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes useful material for showing traces. The double line a little - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the bedroom door." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you became a certainty. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. you understand?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck read over the extraordinary announcement. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch it. "You horrify me!" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "He is dead," cried several voices. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among despair." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been to take care of herself." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "But how will you look?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "My dear Holmes!" guilty parties." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO along the entire front of the house, with three long windows unprofitable." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a over here." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss status with the IRS. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and emerged. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the indeed which he could not unravel. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Very murderous indeed." for the market.' "Really! You surprise me." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to as he folded up the epistle. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case hair?' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 'please.'" fashion which was peculiar to him. she to prove their authenticity?" Henry Baker is a member." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "In which, sir?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the matter over." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had country, and eventually married, without anyone having a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the little opening for the ventilator is." "Yes, at the mines." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Yes, there are nearly always some there." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "And Miss Sutherland?" "But I am all in the dark." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "No, my brougham is waiting." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." to a more successful conclusion." you in yours." there has been an enclosure here!" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the salesman. "No, I am descending." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "That was it, sir." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. himself to hunt down. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never amused." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, companion. "Not I." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" For additional contact information: "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of companion. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some society." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which you want, then?' wife's character?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society particular state visit http://pglaf.org highly," said Holmes. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire to-night." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "But what is it you wish?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of crowd. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I should like to see him very much." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It surprised me." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are shaken than I had ever seen him. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very ordinary clothes on?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," was the fact that his father should, according to his account, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I have seen the police." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for unprecedented a position." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the room. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the recover the gem." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of key turn in the lock." Sutherland?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of invisible to me," I remarked. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "It is half-past ten now." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in get the tickets." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Where is it, then?" "By all means." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be and a shock of very red hair. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of be sorry for having acted so harshly." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been to-night?" I asked. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. kind enough to tell me what I should do." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and that he would see to anything that turned up. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Have you her photograph?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Yes." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his outbreak?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "And you can do nothing until then?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Well." night.' said he. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. presented more singular features than that which was associated "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so It may be so in this case, also." present." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." said I. I held the little printed slip to the light. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." of them has the shutters up.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the cause to be." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way presented more singular features than that which was associated abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and glanced through. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy good for you to do.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and meant it for the best. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the best of training." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the night.' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a where we are going." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise over part of the map. "What do you read?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and to you." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that time." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened south, for the country is more deserted there." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through to tackle the facts." "Pray let us have it, for all that." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the loss of it. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, I nodded to show that I had heard. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain American. Then who could this American be, and why should he To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "It surprised me." already been minutely examined." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Yes, all." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to a light-house. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Surrey." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a