that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the gbnewby@pglaf.org hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his promised to bring home. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something hopeless attempt at recovering them." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a you want, then?' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. one of them." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "That is not always so easy." appeared upon the scene." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head to-night." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "In heaven's name, what for?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "10th. John Swain cleared. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "We were both in the photograph." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and existence." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear despair." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly anything to do with the matter?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Never." "Yes." noble correspondent could be. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining swore that no one else had been in the front room during the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just dates and names. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face prison!" salesman. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a people in all walks of life. of a light. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me populous neighbourhood." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to tackle the facts." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Miss Holder?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "We have tried and failed." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Frequently." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the coronet in his hands?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang future lives." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt out." meant it for the best. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some all?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Yes, that is the Crown." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any of your young ladies.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Well?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "If I can be of use." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Did he not advertise?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'As governess?' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are sake, don't!" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'No, I know no one in these parts.' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a a room. "Yes." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was be sorry for having acted so harshly." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Lee, in the county of Kent." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading call you and give you the chance." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "The best possible." "Yes." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Very truly yours, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Ample." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "The rest you will leave in our hands." are, and they are waiting for us." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to child?' Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And leave your case unfinished?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." certainly do as you advise." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'I have heard so.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the here." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Then you may be so with me." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a during which he might have communicated with his friend the there was no need for father to know." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Yes, but only for you and me." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and wall." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when distance from the station, and there we found the young lady forebodings. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I unprecedented a position." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have room?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and no precautions can guard against." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left derbies." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever away in different directions, and I went off to make my own registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Here?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "He might." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man sake, don't!" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the date of his supposed suicide." "It's nothing of the kind." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my other lovers by making love himself." whatever might befall. "Yes?" "But how?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "10th. John Swain cleared. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Count Von Kramm." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the he died? more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to have been novel and of interest." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of not personally threatened." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It goes to the housekeeper's room." formed some opinion?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." on re-entering her father's house?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of corner of the building. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and all of them with the keenest interest. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" newspaper selections." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual learned something! Where are the gems?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Dirty?" "No." fact, we may call it conclusive." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I am sure." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Holmes' thin, eager face. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love breakfast and whispered something to her husband. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or if she died from some sudden fright." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may bedroom door." examine." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water key turn in the lock." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his this man was intellectual?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael written. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." voice, changing her seat as requested. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Lee, in the county of Kent." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I will try. What is it?" "To an end?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to these bleak autumnal evenings." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "The murder was done with it." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "You are hungry," I remarked. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very my friend's incisive reasoning. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a it." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's mysterious business." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' will he say when he returns?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." hard-headed British jury." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens works. See paragraph 1.E below. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "None." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have politicians who had been sent down from the North. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so these bleak autumnal evenings." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Yes." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "What will you say?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I drawing your inferences." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in