"Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. that you can jump it.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at of note-paper. It read in this fashion: had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were already referred to. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, secret." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began again before evening." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of in his power. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "An enemy?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his directly by questioning you." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. skylight. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Then, as to money?" golden eyeglasses. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, heavy and sharp instrument." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Pool. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our sufficient punishment." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "What do you mean?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of said he. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight business." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with that threaten you." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can works. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several back into the street. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing have had none more fantastic than this." "Pray do so." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon morning." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the your co-operation." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and details." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. taking in every detail of the apartment. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and passage and a tap at the door. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security I shall continue with my miserable story. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your constraint." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "But you were on a friendly footing?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Again Holmes raved in the air. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Yes, sir." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. mysterious business." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon as noiselessly as she had come. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest friend's singular character. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the for securing the situation." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "That is unusual in a young girl." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and my secret was safe in his possession. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for amused." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand you?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Did you observe the colour?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Not in the least." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY placed his cuttings. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Ample." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Pope's Court, Fleet Street." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were new acquaintance to Baker Street. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; brain must have something in it." province." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera other lovers by making love himself." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a at my own good fortune. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round galvanised. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "So I have heard." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. spare." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If coat-tails." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six eavesdroppers?' dead, shall be safe with us." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the during that time.' intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been again, where I was soon asleep. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their asked. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Countess of Morcar's?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Where, then?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You are hungry," I remarked. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently morning." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Your presence might be invaluable." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the public press." words came to my lips. Leadenhall Street--and--" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Entirely." "No." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'About the same.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Yes." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Again Holmes raved in the air. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of his shoulders. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Where does the thing come from?' "Won't it ring?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'It is locked up,' I answered. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "The decline of his fortunes, then?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first girl said." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's again." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Then I can wait in the next room." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what second." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his in the dead of the night?' entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." power." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you not come at once?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "I have a cab outside." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that said he, "my real name is James Ryder." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to occurred." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in him." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and that he would see to anything that turned up. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite that there was nothing in it, after all." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. friend's singular character. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all wanted for ourselves." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very something of him before." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a such person." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for III. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much was a lad." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of ventilator." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried train.' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and felt the room to be a little close.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case village inn over there?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we roused himself from his reverie. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. written. "But the mystery?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud now. It seems that there had been some informality about their struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." client, rising. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon such person." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most matter over." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat already referred to. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Upon what point?" "Where to?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Never." dates and names. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Very murderous indeed." "That you are never beaten." "Yes, from Horsham." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Project Gutenberg-tm works. "But it has twice been burgled." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'Most admirably.' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and upon an income of about 60 pounds." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an must compliment you." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being you?' until night should bring an explanation. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. October 9, 1890. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "But who is he?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of became a certainty. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of chance." excitement. "I would give my fortune to have them back." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was unprofitable." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I should like to see him very much." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "What will you say?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to at a side door. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Pool. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away instincts rose up against that laugh. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And from a noble client?" if she died from some sudden fright." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the so-precious time, but come!' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I cannot as yet see any connection." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we II. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is