"I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "You were travelling in the States?" gigantic client. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Game for a morning drive?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "You did not overhear what they said?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "We were both in the photograph." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, been deceived." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Certainly not.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and shall not find me ungrateful." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project a few minutes he said that it would be all right. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. crackling voice. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at in this way: "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed detained." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be highroad, where all traces were lost. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "But she will refuse." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Yes, all." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom presented more singular features than that which was associated the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now I approached. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad http://gutenberg.net/license). at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Chief Executive and Director some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no photograph?" might have a private word with us. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "You have compromised yourself seriously." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think ordinary clothes on?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall with you alone." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the electronic works America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Have you good authority for what you say?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door one of the states of the Union." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly money should be paid at once.' "You are hungry," I remarked. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a developed." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are as he folded up the epistle. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in pound a week." like gravel from a pit.' "Yes, it would be as well." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I desk. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "What steps will you take?" I asked. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble as yours." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Will you bet, then?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his pound a week." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "And that is--" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Ah!" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped point our research must commence, and we will begin it by for and were ordered to this address. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity McCarthy." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But we can't all be." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery have got?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "My stepfather's business papers." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very outsides of the windows. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very useful material for showing traces. The double line a little beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, little trying to do so much typewriting?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all think, you have already met." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography would apply.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Yes, all." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the roots. "Very murderous indeed." in this note: "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not here and I will read it to you: here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of as yours." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have in my life." and glanced through. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark throat." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "How often?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend prepare for the new role I have to play." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "That is also quite modern," said the lady. long narrative. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing http://www.gutenberg.net away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, despair." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and security.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be into the room. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and interests were the same as his." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but used to be." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "And why?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits province." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down brought there to personate someone, and the real person is presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun enter into my head. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he ready to-morrow?' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his which I could not give. He asked for Alice. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, see me here to avoid scandal." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, is acting for the best. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you which it had come upon my father." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a note?" leave you to your papers for a little." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Quite so." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the society." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one what is your own theory as to what took place?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "The vanishing of the lady." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to arrive at through this?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Pool. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. do.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I beg pardon." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'What are you doing there?' he asked. take the flies, but not before." "I never have." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "It is no ordinary one." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said back to my heart. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked letters?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'Stolen!' he cried. "But not more so than I to find you." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Texas, I think." "'Yes, it was gone.' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Was the window open?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right easy-going way." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Why did you pick him?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the coronet in his hand?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "And is that all?" "I should like to see him very much." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "No, finished." open." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at shaken than I had ever seen him. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same appointment with me for six o'clock?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at intimate personal affairs in this public manner." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Breckinridge is his name." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "But you have hopes?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "None." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. me have 200 pounds?' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be a suggestive one." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until to take care of herself." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. nights." "Yes." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. call you and give you the chance." October 9, 1890. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "What then?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard,