"What shall I do?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" persecution?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are one which it was hard to resist. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, dead, shall be safe with us." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "It is possible." neither fascinating nor artistic." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Stolen." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" union?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "What do you mean?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "But of what society?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I was mad--insane." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Married! When?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite investigation." get her out of the way." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay bird I ate is country bred." "But to whom?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. have been better. It is all right." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you strong reason behind." is acting for the best. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "It's nothing of the kind." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, them?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a to that open window." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any fishes. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" look upon these things in a different way." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Entirely.' "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Where, then, is my wife?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Yes, there are nearly always some there." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "But what will you do?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the date of his supposed suicide." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a business in the City. She little knew what. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "My dear Holmes!" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual go--none." front of me. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I cannot think." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the character. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and very morning of my second wedding." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "The knees of his trousers." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew unprecedented a position." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his there in twenty minutes." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "It missed him, then?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall woman." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the coroner come to?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not like gravel from a pit.' peculiar to him. did not hear it also.' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End careless servant girl?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again done what I asked you, Jones?" shoulder; "he's all right." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was is so. I know all about McCarthy." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens as this. Pray let me have the details." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time enter into my head. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "My last client of the sort was a king." "Nothing?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that tell them apart.' security.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Did you become engaged then?" kindly on the shoulder. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square promised to bring home. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "The doctor?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "But I am all in the dark." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I ago." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your was a loud and authoritative tap. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that that you can jump it.' "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the way in." "But she will refuse." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating wedding?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "No, my brougham is waiting." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "What can it mean?" I gasped. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's fear." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a behind me. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. wanted for ourselves." back to my heart. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with fat-encircled eyes. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Yes, certainly." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on The telegram which we eventually received came late one night 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank of the efforts of the United States government and of the better strong reason behind." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Yes, at the mines." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was bell. Holmes whistled. derbies." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which cigars in the box." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy you?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I should be immensely obliged to you." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at time." pressing in one house as in another. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "On the contrary, this is the right side." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in long narrative. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Yes." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out which we had just quitted. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Witness: It was. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "How did he come?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. straightened it out again. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "That's no good." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and straightened it out again. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the nursery. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient carried out of court." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was forehead. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which this unhappy family?" formed some opinion?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Oh, the cause is excellent!" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, was used.' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny opened a pocket-book and took out a note. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my ago." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "His face fell immediately. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his ventilator." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the highly," said Holmes. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come noble correspondent could be. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate fat-encircled eyes. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "That was it, sir." spark where all is dark to me." "Ha! you find it so?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say that you wished to speak to me?' six. Come in!" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'Oh, no.' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy of a light. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I saw her in conversation with her maid." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Leadenhall Street--and--" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was out." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It which we had just quitted. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Then how many are there?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, then?" of them has the shutters up.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Entirely." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Of Friday, June 19th." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'Then let me do so?' known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded room. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure certainly do as you advise." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Which surely he restored to their owner?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" assist you in forming an opinion." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little is a common subject for conversation. in him." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom things are very often connected not with the larger but with the morning." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY invisible to me," I remarked. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had passage and a tap at the door. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the station." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was without a word or a look. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of