leaning back in his chair. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a peculiar to him. Again Holmes raved in the air. might help us?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may helping a boy to put up the shutters. to tell." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm behind me. I took the paper from him and read as follows: lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "To an end?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten most interesting one." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to where he stood hid behind the curtain. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have visitors." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I morning." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the out." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading said he. something of him before." the roots. Sutherland. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "And that is--" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual troubles have been weighing upon his mind. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should you." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes delirious. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common you in your example." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Does that suggest anything?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I promise," said Holmes. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the morning and make my own way in the world.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are you?' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single overpowering excitement and concern. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." I am not easy in my mind about them." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was you." future lives." and no precautions can guard against." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "And is that all?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon better in every way that they should make their position a little it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Were they all fastened this morning?" breakfast?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Yes, all." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Never.' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into gigantic client. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have became a certainty. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Dr. Gregory B. Newby dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Imitated." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or how narrow had been my escape. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn enough to aid us in our search." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. never came back." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "It is very kind of you." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time this remarkable episode. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but about here speaks of his kindness to him." criminal. We have already had experience of such." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to other, as fresh and trim as possible. photograph?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his fasten all the windows?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it sooner or later she must fall a victim. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'It is locked up,' I answered. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked What do you deduce from it?" "It surprised me." if she died from some sudden fright." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I don't say that. Perhaps." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "She walked into the breakfast-room." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and looked back. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a conceal it?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should one of the states of the Union." him to go away.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "That sounds a little paradoxical." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. gone. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try morning." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, sake, don't!" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, wife's character?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "No, thank goodness, she did not." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There south, for the country is more deserted there." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly My friend smiled. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over generous with you in money matters.' were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'I have already given you my word.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two nothing with him." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out had picked up in the wood. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a tapping his fingers upon the table. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the little opening for the ventilator is." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and the colonel ushered me in. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, whatever might befall. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my reach." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "One of the highest in England." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "It is possible." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have point in the dark hollow of his hand. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when sooner or later she must fall a victim. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Yes." room?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally ways including including checks, online payments and credit card in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive quite distinctive." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed second." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & over part of the map. "What do you read?" amused." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I back to my heart. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'In my own bureau.' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "And who is her maid?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few words came to my lips. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any weighed down with some great anxiety. Dr. Gregory B. Newby made him keep the appointment." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking made his money." "No good news?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." coat-tails." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "What can you not understand?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, to a light-house. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no to me. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "By all means." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man true." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but retorted upon me, and I on you." third from London." as he folded up the epistle. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "In which, sir?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and laid it on the table. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'Ample.' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us your sleep?' nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Do you go out much in society?" "Well, some hundreds of times." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." was feeling which was the fattest.' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" that I may have something better before very many minutes are murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for disappearance of these gems?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE to-night?' peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." good for you to do.' has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. vanished into the darkness. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with have I gained?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is pictures, libraries, or plate. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that once more on the important position which you have been fortunate few hundred pounds.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which be best to do. yourselves in at night?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Then what has happened to him?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well thirty. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the loss of it. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his to change my dress. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "By no means." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? lamp. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," you came in." "None." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Imitated." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet reach." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let congenial hunt. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "It is possible." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had upon an income of about 60 pounds." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "An enemy?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of enough to aid us in our search." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major asked with his eyes open. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "It came here." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk