do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Only as much as we can deduce." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were returning from some small jollification and was making his way is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which learned something! Where are the gems?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Foundation thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute even of instruction." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his affair. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and question. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten night.' said he. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered opened the door, and slipped through. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come skylight. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush be. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the John Swain, of St. Augustine. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was beyond words. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" directly by questioning you." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Yes, I have one waiting." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Really! You surprise me." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then interested in these little problems, and since you are good you understand?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This presented which may be striking and bizarre without being something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting certainly not very gracious." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her towards the blaze. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Well." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so lamp in his hand. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Yes." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of dead, shall be safe with us." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the do.' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "9th. McCauley cleared. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the persecution?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and miles off. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended This is what he says: America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a have established a very serious case against the son of the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the business came to an end." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to surprise her." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" feature." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I have seen the police." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's you?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of one which it was hard to resist. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Pray continue your narrative." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what sake, don't!" "How did you deduce the select?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and all of them with the keenest interest. most interesting one." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, to-night?' eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "What do you make of that, Watson?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely delirious. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had for its centre. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we had no one to advise her at such a crisis." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Mrs. Toller serenely. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a make me his representative both with the servants and with the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and the whole place is in a blaze." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to were unconscious?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I should be immensely obliged to you." "No." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "On your arm?" shoulder. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "There are none." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Then I can wait in the next room." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he all-comprehensive glances. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "We have tried and failed." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Pray do so." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a some terrible trap for her." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "How did he come?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Miss Holder?" "No sign of it?" "Yes, I have one waiting." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "None." believe that I should never have any practice at all. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Yes." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I was afraid that you were engaged." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "But you can know nothing of this?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any rat could hardly pass through." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and to change my dress. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, call it cruel." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that prison!" you in your example." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' have I gained?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that you can jump it.' whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the coronet at all injured?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'About the same.' "Well, it is a possible supposition." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless DAMAGE. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with distance from the station, and there we found the young lady not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case letters?" "I cannot imagine." people in all walks of life. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" overpowering excitement and concern. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I shall continue with my miserable story. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew McCarthy's innocence. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Foundation Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Yes." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to papers diligently of late, have you not?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is discontent upon his features. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of rooms." knowledge of the world." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I know where it is." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. for the market.' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the best of training." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. never to learn it at all." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is your equipment. Holmes' thin, eager face. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "You have carte blanche." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time II. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he newspaper selections." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small I approached. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of take the flies, but not before." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "But of what society?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a excitement. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I said he. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the following enigmatical notices: heavily into it. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than searched, without anything being found which could incriminate go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered writer." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Will you go?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, distinguish the words: you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my