"Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, more solid." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." matters immensely." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really here and I will read it to you: way in." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the man. I know him from the photograph." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Could he throw no light?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "No?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for you for a few hours?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty was used.' James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "How about poison?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and the whole place is in a blaze." lost his Christmas dinner." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Thank you. Pray proceed." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had I have it here in my museum." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Yes." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? and the whole place is in a blaze." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a unclasping of his long thin hands. "'A dozen yards or so.' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst before the coroner and the police-court." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "What will you say?" all that?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." you understand?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but to miss it." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had place no limit on the sum I may draw." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. there in twenty minutes." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Yes." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. you understand?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, knowledge of the world." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very go--none." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "That sounds a little paradoxical." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. my special province." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some interested in these little problems, and since you are good and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Ten will be early enough." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, brain must have something in it." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the to talk it over. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was points to suicide?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the orange pips. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "It's nothing of the kind." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and unkempt, staring out at me. investigation." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Then, how do you know?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See where she found matters as described by the last witness. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the him." "It looks newer than the other things?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. place of silver." relief. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "The murder was done with it." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day you want, then?' man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so people don't know." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have important." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "My dear Holmes!" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the late!' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the never to learn it at all." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Nothing." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." humiliation." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and notes," he said. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "In the cells." purpose equally well?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "The King of Scandinavia." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. your most interesting statement." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." might help us?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. been with you?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." 1.F. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I very morning of my second wedding." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Have you good authority for what you say?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. better grown goose." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to at a side door. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a seem to you to be relevant or not." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not politicians who had been sent down from the North. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed thirty. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I am all attention, madam." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Come in!" said Holmes. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent nothing with him." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. see me here to avoid scandal." dates and names. in darkness. help us in this matter." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had where we are going." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of deduce something from that?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Just look it up, then." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really beyond words. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "What steps will you take?" I asked. works. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the driver. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it upon an income of about 60 pounds." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "What I expected to see." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Of what?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else page at http://pglaf.org "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have you, my dear young lady?' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY question," said Holmes, smiling. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Was your sister dressed?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the throat." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "In heaven's name, what for?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution which should have the effect of calling the attention of the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already detective. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have take the flies, but not before." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Where does the thing come from?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." bachelor.' your sleep?' They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Witness: Nothing definite. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. and capable of preserving a secret.' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I eat it." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Texas, I think." never to learn it at all." again." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and shall probably return to London by the evening train." sofa. This way, please!" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. details." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any she used." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." obstinate." very old mansion. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "He said too much." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Not him." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the evidence," I remarked. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Witness: Nothing definite. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I will try. What is it?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try what these perils are?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "And help." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on discontent upon his features. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the British peeress.'" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point it." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "None." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to colonel looking down at me. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or off." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for during which he might have communicated with his friend the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away McCarthy." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's in the dead of the night?' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "And what then?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you politicians who had been sent down from the North. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "An enemy?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade that not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a wall." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' passage and a tap at the door. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such go from here to the Strand." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were before, for it was considerably after midnight. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I The summons was a brief and urgent one. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, power." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the some city in a dream. Chief Executive and Director "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one very old mansion. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I happened." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of morning." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you note?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "At the wedding breakfast." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. it means?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our