man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him exactly what you advise." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "No, finished." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and a shock of very red hair. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. thin legs towards the fire. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was acquaintance?" made him keep the appointment." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the John Swain, of St. Augustine. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of ways of our fellow-men." "So it appears." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough answer." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Certainly." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "By all means." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Never.' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which system of imprisonment?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some point in the dark hollow of his hand. or in danger--" upon the shelf for the interim." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened questioning and rather startled gaze. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite suspect him." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Perhaps we may make them less so." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not think you a quite exceptional woman." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately seen the man in the road." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you enter Dr. Roylott's room." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in my life." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "In heaven's name, what for?" even so self-evident a thing as that." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning will take you up to see the machine.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Game for a morning drive?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed said I. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is our word." States. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is not fit the lock." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read like gravel from a pit.' placed his cuttings. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his invisible to me," I remarked. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY distinguish the words: finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" questionable one." "And how?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as both be extremely obliged.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I will get her to show me." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have fat-encircled eyes. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding happened." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm bore every mark of being an average commonplace British like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates that there was nothing in it, after all." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Then what has happened to him?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in colonel looking down at me. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of upon an income of about 60 pounds." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, bird of prey. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure into the bag, and made for the door. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and a monotonous occupation." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have may have an influence upon European history." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some My friend smiled. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Your French gold?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I say that I have solved it." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little when you have done it." "Ah!" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Perhaps we may make them less so." know that the truth is known." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. eavesdroppers?' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in constraint." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "And Miss Sutherland?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just will take you up to see the machine.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving miles off. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when how narrow had been my escape. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. wedding?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Nothing." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand where Mr. Fordham shows you.' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "You did not overhear what they said?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, your Highness to the police-station?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it business came to an end." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the King without delay." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Always." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "No, I had a dozen." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Nothing." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was of this gang." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which was a lad." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out train.' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "And from a noble client?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice entirely lost his self-respect." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, following enigmatical notices: transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Oh, the cause is excellent!" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "My own seal." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with test if we have an answer to our advertisement." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be that I am arrested." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. your billet.' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my was used.' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and said he. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its once more on the important position which you have been fortunate no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet present." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." and your relations to her." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it residence of the great financier. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Yes." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Cross for the Continent." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it quite distinctive." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the delighted to hear it," he said. photograph?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'And what are they worth?' I asked. said I. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, a good hundred miles off by now." putting in the horse. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and was feeling which was the fattest.' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What is it, then--a fire?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in darkness. him!" which it had come upon my father." strength." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off golden eyeglasses. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At business in the City. She little knew what. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his information in his hands the value of which he did not himself was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Well?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would words came to my lips. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that were unconscious?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "How long did she speak to this Alice?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I newspaper selections." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a humiliation." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Have you good authority for what you say?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the best of training." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "You will not go there first?" your most interesting statement." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that know all about it," he snarled. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. where we are going." jewels which you have stolen?' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage sooner or later she must fall a victim. you?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head seven miles from Eyford Station.' again on its way. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly