"I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I cannot imagine." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my there has been an enclosure here!" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I humiliation." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up forebodings. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Not I." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and any more." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to has little to do with my story." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Not in a good cause." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, was already answered. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I from the brougham. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" presume?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage made him keep the appointment." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of notes," he said. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Upon what point?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "To an English lawyer named Norton." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are in darkness. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a results." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the married her." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Well?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such into the bag, and made for the door. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon ways of our fellow-men." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, bearing upon the case." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking daring than any effort of the imagination." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'I am sure if I had known--' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Breckinridge is his name." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the little opening for the ventilator is." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I is acting for the best. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "What is it?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Pray do so." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and business matters.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon matter over." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "I have solved it." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of ago." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George page at http://pglaf.org vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. business at Coburg Square is serious." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since electronic works the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining is worth.' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off confronted him. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the even of instruction." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in October 9, 1890. straightened it out again. his forehead." "Yes." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old posted to-day." "An enemy?" all that?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "You were travelling in the States?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the bed, and you in that chair." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and the colonel ushered me in. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." are windows in it, of course?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Oh, fresh and glossy." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Get out!" said he. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at indeed happy." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other The telegram which we eventually received came late one night former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "What, then?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us this Miss Turner." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to not within a twentieth part of the market price." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting stepfather?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any security.' very morning of my second wedding." "Yes." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the in his hands." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is unprofitable." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, problems help me to do so." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, face and glided from the room. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Nothing." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." suddenly upon us." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I never have." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the woman." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Bought." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that in this way: baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has that I may have something better before very many minutes are his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of Mr. Rucastle's." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." national property. I was determined that the law should have its young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' wanted for ourselves." have not had my rubber." "That is not always so easy." yards of it?' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same might have a private word with us. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Yes, the wine-cellar." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "No, distinctly professional." "About a month then." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So was keenly on my guard against him. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" pound a week." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the ventilator." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I should like to see him very much." forbidden door. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Miss Holder?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Street. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." chair. business in the City. She little knew what. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one McCarthy." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I ashen face. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a meant." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram coat-tails." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then highroad, where all traces were lost. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "No legal papers or certificates?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone your only hope of safety." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a than was visible to me." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I am sure." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the have established a very serious case against the son of the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he chill to my heart. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and no precautions can guard against." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" have I gained?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried our word." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial had this final quarrel? laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are that I may have something better before very many minutes are away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I will get her to show me." narrative." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I beg pardon." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. envelope. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there presume?" Street. "What then?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I cannot imagine." one else, I think." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and rose-bushes. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the gigantic client. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in lips." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now distinguish the words: "And you can do nothing until then?" "Here?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its answered with a sidelong glance. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, row." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who least a most suspicious remark." had this final quarrel? where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly note?" as this. Pray let me have the details." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what