every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called strong reason behind." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is mystery." "And the cigar-holder?" "And you don't know his address?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the coronet at all injured?" "I am all attention, madam." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "That is also quite modern," said the lady. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Yes." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly matters immensely." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. have got?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "That is unusual in a young girl." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, she to prove their authenticity?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little certainly do as you advise." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was simple cases which are so extremely difficult." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible towards the blaze. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' wedding?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. to-morrow." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "What then?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." here." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "There are none." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." washing it down with a long draught of water. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "The rest you will leave in our hands." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the back alive. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had have I gained?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as companion. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be of your young ladies.' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which cup of tea. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a companion quietly. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "At half-wages, in fact." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of DISSOLVED. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in asked. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the warnings." think, you have already met." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the bed, and you in that chair." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until it with his own hands." vanished into the darkness. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the whether it answered to the description of any of their Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' sparkled upon his finger. them present such singular features as the strange train of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I conceal it?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert his eyes and forehead. never to learn it at all." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. The events in question occurred in the early days of my He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I cannot say that I have." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Were they all fastened this morning?" in his power. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "He is dead," cried several voices. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. been shamefully used." Henry Baker is a member." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Of what?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Awake, Watson?" he asked. is now desirous of getting those letters back." that he will be back before evening." "Never to return." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and that he would see to anything that turned up. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'Oh, no.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what rooms." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the girl said." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Very much so." "I cannot think." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny in darkness. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net shall use the carriage to-night." miles off. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, quick march!" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father one of them." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "He is still with you, I presume?" "No, I think that I'll take it." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" made his money." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'Ample.' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "None." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Yes, only one." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held only touch the interest." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "And it is--" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "In what way?" asked Holmes. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Nothing." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "What of the rat, then?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Did you become engaged then?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his salesman. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and my secret was safe in his possession. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I to-night." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came bedroom door." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as is worth.' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud was shining brightly. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project rat could hardly pass through." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Then you may entirely rely on me." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg not interfere, come what may. You understand?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'Entirely.' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You imbecility!" he cried. voice, changing her seat as requested. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his meant it for the best. washing it down with a long draught of water. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "No, I think that I'll take it." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of this poor creature." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "What then?" "But the mystery?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered acted in my house last night?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing not within a twentieth part of the market price." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 entirely lost his self-respect." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "But not more so than I to find you." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship allusion to a rat. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Where did you address your letters, then?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I see no marks." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. to arrive at through this?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "My last client of the sort was a king." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either to-night's adventure." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Will you go?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in coat-tails." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "The best possible." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; about. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. The events in question occurred in the early days of my of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the window, rose as we entered. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the him, that man would not have given me such complete information soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I nodded again. quickly through a disagreeable task. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said ceremony." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Farm upon the left." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look papers must be those that are destroyed.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Yes, it was twisted." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very salesman. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Ah, but I was recommended to you." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and already referred to. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Entirely." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." noble correspondent could be. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When address. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Yes, it would be as well." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person