attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the coat-tails." The events in question occurred in the early days of my He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Literary Archive Foundation closing the door. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? observed. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness shall not find me ungrateful." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so exactly what you advise." there has been an enclosure here!" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Yesterday." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Then the page we have seen--" door?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose and that he would see to anything that turned up. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform interested in these little problems, and since you are good "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the possible that we could bring him back to her? despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There least a fellow-countryman. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "And now?" He raised his hand. so.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Then I do not see the point." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, was keenly on my guard against him. "Yes?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in London for the present?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Not yet." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really shaken than I had ever seen him. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a father's place of business?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "What have you to say now?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some pictures, libraries, or plate. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' his fortune, and I went back to pa. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down instituted." Lee, in the county of Kent." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you suggested at once that there must be a communication between the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I cannot imagine." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "None." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you have got?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more ways of our fellow-men." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'Is 4 pounds a week.' was not a bird to be seen there. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification enough to aid us in our search." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course locked. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Eh? What was that?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have established a very serious case against the son of the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring have not had my rubber." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "And how in the world did you find them?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, you." upon a handsome competence. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but points in connection with it which never have been, and probably out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side arrested. You then--" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my there was no need for father to know." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and laid it on the table. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see just ask you whether you had heard it.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or gentleman's clothes. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." very old mansion. "Look there!" said he. "Did you observe the colour?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for she has been waylaid. There has been no result." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I once more. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was grasp, he hurried from the room. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten breakfast." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and think that any burglar could have done. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece said I. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich cheerful." train.' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Yes, sir." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar upon the shelf for the interim." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there remarked. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into that you can jump it.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his been deceived." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and in one or two places in England?' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a like gravel from a pit.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then was the fact that his father should, according to his account, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "How do you know, then?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his upon the sideboard." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "9th. McCauley cleared. lamp in his hand. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "That's no good." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided a good hundred miles off by now." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Yes, at the mines." eavesdroppers?' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a even so self-evident a thing as that." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the matter?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "What do you make of that, Watson?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Will you go?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive round with crates and massive boxes. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "And the cigar-holder?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, enough to aid us in our search." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "It came here." "Your sister is dead, then?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You photograph?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven interests were the same as his." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. ashen face. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his bird of prey. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads client, rising. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Dr. Becher's." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped ran thus: were unconscious?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I shall most certainly do so." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which o'clock is it?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed desk. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I foot. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "What will you say?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'Tell me all about it,' said I. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was writing, and yet I know it well." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, hurried away. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "What of the rat, then?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian with you?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with appeal." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post seen the man in the road." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more salesman. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Not I." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. posted to-day." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at been with you?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Very murderous indeed." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder that you can jump it.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Yes. He waved his hands." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging least a fellow-countryman. it." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I am to be neutral?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the may have an influence upon European history." for the market.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. danger is over." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Has he come with you to-night?" views." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind The events in question occurred in the early days of my of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "His face fell immediately. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I think that I could be of assistance to you." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "The Coroner: What do you mean? his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his shall not find me ungrateful." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing ceremony." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and wait." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in morning." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp was a perfect sample of the class. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "You have the photograph?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which III. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." over here." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital with her." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I you want, then?' The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed http://www.gutenberg.net are, and they are waiting for us." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by an introduction to him?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Why, what do you mean?" "Well?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far