c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Then, how do you know?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to that he has suffered." the address that was given us in the advertisement. chamber." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "But your client--" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I should like to see him very much." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled that before taking the final step I should like to submit the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "You have a clue?" "Nearly eleven." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress light and attacked it." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I am to be neutral?" Leadenhall Street--and--" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, from the brougham. "And why in hopes?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the second window is the one that I jumped from." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "How do you know, then?" Eyford at 11:15.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I pierced for earrings?" future lives." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George knowledge of the world." unclasping of his long thin hands. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." everything which you would wish to know." gives a meaning to it." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss use an arc-and-compass breastpin." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If that there was nothing in it, after all." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some someone who had been in Australia." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think very old mansion. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'Stolen!' he cried. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Mary, has deserted me." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." your most interesting statement." "And help." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I am sure." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. DAMAGE. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet suddenly upon us." light and attacked it." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the child." shaken than I had ever seen him. cost them two and thirty pounds." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "No good news?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This colonel looking down at me. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, disturbance in my wife." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I cannot tell." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Get out!" said he. about here speaks of his kindness to him." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "What can you not understand?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Where did he live, then?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found during that time.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I know where it is." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble made him keep the appointment." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is perplexity from it to my illustrious client. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, affair. which we had just quitted. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered horse could go." records." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "You forget that I know nothing about it." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the Friday. Was it to be in church?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set *** START: FULL LICENSE *** my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Certainly, madam." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of campaign. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "You heard nothing yourself last night?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full interested in these little problems, and since you are good "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Yes, at the mines." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and 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 so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the room while you explain this matter?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: use an arc-and-compass breastpin." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place that I can to serve you." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "But you can know nothing of this?" fat-encircled eyes. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Oh, yes, easily." himself to tell his story. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy question. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "But who is he?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting a good hundred miles off by now." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Yes, but only for you and me." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have families. Now for the facts. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Breckinridge is his name." upon a handsome competence. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. opportunities to fix the problem. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "So I am. Very much so." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, out of this horrible affair." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about congratulate you again." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom weighed down with some great anxiety. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Precisely." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I suddenly upon us." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the more terrible than the truth. them?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he me have 200 pounds?' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'Certainly not.' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I never have." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me along the entire front of the house, with three long windows a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "But he might be a bachelor." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an his wife has ceased to love him." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His companion. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained could not account in any way for the presence of the missing used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "By no means." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock daring than any effort of the imagination." sneer upon his pale face. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case walking." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a once more to my work. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the little opening for the ventilator is." "I am to be neutral?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very me have 200 pounds?' London for the present?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "That is possible." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and opened the door, and slipped through. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the up this clue while it is still hot." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean bird I ate is country bred." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It is to him that this trophy belongs." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "And your mother is alive?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to a monotonous occupation." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the side-table." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I ran thus: took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been photograph?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during it? Did I buy the geese off you?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong forbidden door. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and easy-going way." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the side-table." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his you?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's right! Sit down and let us talk it over." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of companion imperturbably. visitors."