"'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his be.' salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said call it cruel." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "And why in hopes?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and congenial hunt. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you ventilator." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Arthur Conan Doyle time." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "None." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "So I am. Very much so." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached fattened it expressly for you.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "In heaven's name, what for?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink you want, then?' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "How did you deduce the select?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant and effective." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Witness: It was. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his cigar and let me expound." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then come either from the window or the door. My attention was days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round had picked up in the wood. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and it. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Eh? What was that?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has any little problem which you may submit to me." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Pope's Court. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "A greater distance to travel." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "It is a murder, then?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the breakfast?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the himself in a perplexing position. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "A call for help, you thought?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into during that time.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square to a more successful conclusion." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this The King stared at him in amazement. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and records." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at fear." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "No." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "But he might be a bachelor." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "It is half-past ten now." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must a little more before I quite committed myself. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the it with his own hands." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over fuss that is made over them." yards of it?' and the church but not where the lady lived." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we prisoner's face. "You have but to name it." bled considerably." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from his forehead." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked intrusion of other matters." "The King of Scandinavia." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'What do you call purely nominal?' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my populous neighbourhood." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull father's young wife. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general electronic works "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' hurried away. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is breakfast." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers started for the Temple to see my husband. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs The events in question occurred in the early days of my papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the standing smiling on the door-step. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it fasten all the windows?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some business?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents security.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very perplexity from it to my illustrious client. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have really the only notable feature about the thing." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to my secret was safe in his possession. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "What are they?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his delirious. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'And the work?' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "It is true that I have been generally successful." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until that shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "There are none." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him something of him before." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in his forehead." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Of what day?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the running down." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now yards of it?' Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with head. So long, then!" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air information in his hands the value of which he did not himself And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door nothing of it?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little intrusion of other matters." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out voice. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I populous neighbourhood." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "My photograph." arrangements." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Ten will be early enough." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Sholtos." open." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation matter over." a room. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other wife's character?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders pound a week." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I shall be delighted." imbecility!" he cried. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the discontent upon his features. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And your father? Did you tell him?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this upon an income of about 60 pounds." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which him!" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Then, as to money?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a union?" the running down." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Breckinridge is his name." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the coronet in his hands?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." weighed down with some great anxiety. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Clair, of Lee." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Heh?' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "What steps will you take?" I asked. back alive. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "None. Neville wrote those words." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right formed some opinion?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Pray tell us what has happened to you." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there child?' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yes. He waved his hands." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "And help." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. very old mansion. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the fat-encircled eyes. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "He disappeared so suddenly." child?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! to a light-house. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, not as remarkable as your advertisement." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I not, dad?" she asked. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my a suggestive one." province." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her conduct the inquiry." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "That you are never beaten."