Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Yes, but only for you and me." him nearly every evening." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, from the brougham. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "But not more so than I to find you." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to a very grave face. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called tension within him. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with politicians who had been sent down from the North. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not questionable one." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "But to whom?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "No." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "But what harm can there be in that?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking it." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and have this put in the evening papers." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be had no one to advise her at such a crisis." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up criminal. We have already had experience of such." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features examination of the premises, but without finding anything which of it with the greatest attention. clanging. "To an English lawyer named Norton." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or returned to France?" visitors." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom taking in every detail of the apartment. For additional contact information: matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "And you can do nothing until then?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Then, as to money?" "Absolutely none." rooms." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 weighed down with some great anxiety. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several your co-operation." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "You think that he is dead?" leaning back in his chair. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of answer." "I am to be neutral?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "And your mother is alive?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my as noiselessly as she had come. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "No sign of it?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite his face which made him a very different person to the round, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. feature." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation outside. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a fled together." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. attention." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy back into the street. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "He disappeared so suddenly." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes was already answered. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "No, I think that I'll take it." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "And your father? Did you tell him?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I never have." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Who by?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Ah!" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." murdered man." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in prison!" locked." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The started for the Temple to see my husband. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw him and tried to hold him back. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You have a clue?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, been with you?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." man. I know him from the photograph." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Was the window open?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "What steps will you take?" I asked. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of this gang." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my him to go away.' came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Yes." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said power." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. through." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was all?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The disappearance of these gems?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "You saw the ventilator, too?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I see many objections to any such theory." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning this poor creature." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been during that time.' a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I could not have written that. It is the German who is so or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Then the page we have seen--" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest have been better. It is all right." the coronet in his hands?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have discontent upon his features. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "And how did he make his money?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before him." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to Leatherhead. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm is entirely a question of barometric pressure." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, wedding?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "The King of Scandinavia." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then could not account in any way for the presence of the missing with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the bed, and you in that chair." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "What office?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle questioning and rather startled gaze. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked a suggestive one." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be perplexity from it to my illustrious client. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "In heaven's name, what for?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "You know me, then?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Yes, sir." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And from a noble client?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "And it is--" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "It missed him, then?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Which are?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." gentleman's clothes. "Was the window open?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual little trying to do so much typewriting?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "What do you mean?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." upon the sideboard." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we said he. "Perhaps we may make them less so." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the said he at last. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I fear not." do you make of it all?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "So I am. Very much so." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" father's young wife. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with that you can jump it.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as retorted upon me, and I on you." "I have my revolver," said I. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and matter over." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." thought that she would have been so carried away." appeared upon the scene." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was spare." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my sooner or later she must fall a victim. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton people don't know." "You know me, then?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing colour had been driven from his face. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "No." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A we went to search for him, face downward in a little with her." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "My private note-paper." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "You have the photograph?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, something of him before." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Come in!" said he. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Perhaps we may make them less so." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Leadenhall Street--and--" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "And why?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy you." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper lamp in his hand. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What