The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he directors have had misgivings upon the subject." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "But how?" I nodded again. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to wedding?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and know what is wrong with it.' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared families. Now for the facts. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "No, my brougham is waiting." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the general public were present, then?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Quite so. She has her freedom." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my of it with the greatest attention. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and one of them." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'Never.' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked presented more singular features than that which was associated to that open window." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the For additional contact information: "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "In which, sir?" Have you good authority for what you say?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done exactly what you advise." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "It is possible." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I am all attention, madam." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am placed his cuttings. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "No." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'Certainly,' I answered. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "In what way?" asked Holmes. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "One of his hands." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "The vanishing of the lady." "I don't believe it." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "You have compromised yourself seriously." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Pray continue your narrative." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Did your wife hear all this?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from window when the police appeared." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Married! When?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your John Swain, of St. Augustine. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "That was it, sir." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away lumber-room." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." awkward doing business with an alias." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "That you are never beaten." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, but preventing her from injuring another. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over recover the gem." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. client, rising. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his national property. I was determined that the law should have its destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad morning." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "So I heard. You have him here?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in in the dead of the night?' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." away into the river." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the window, rose as we entered. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror what I may call a really hard day's work." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all it? Did I buy the geese off you?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "So I have heard." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now hard-headed British jury." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the there was no need for father to know." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your train.' shall not find me ungrateful." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Holmes' room. was shining brightly. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Won't it ring?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Then the page we have seen--" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Henry Baker is a member." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco unclasping of his long thin hands. you?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Yes." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the up this clue while it is still hot." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in when you have done it." opened the door, and slipped through. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place You want to know what became of those geese?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "My opinion is in no way altered." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet you." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I warn you that they are very incomplete." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which that I can to serve you." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "We were both in the photograph." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my call for protection in the marriage market, for the present ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Holmes." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came vault. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. fire. You quite follow me?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed comes from the middle window." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Nothing?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and all of them with the keenest interest. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks bird I ate is country bred." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he over here." "What can you not understand?" very morning of my second wedding." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to companion imperturbably. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I beg pardon." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Sutherland?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in bedroom door." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by there is a decided draught." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am my secret was safe in his possession. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "But of what society?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Mrs. Toller serenely. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" straightened it out again. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly hard-headed British jury." there has been an enclosure here!" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way asked with his eyes open. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the sooner or later she must fall a victim. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing this truth that in these little records of our cases which you knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you retorted upon me, and I on you." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up not, dad?" she asked. your bag." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Not in the least." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the bedroom door." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Mary, has deserted me." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting disappearance of the bride.'" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would to where he stood hid behind the curtain. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "One of his hands." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, British peeress.'" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Pray let us have it, for all that." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Certainly." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast clang of the bell. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking union?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the south-west, I see." direction." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Tired-looking or fresh?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. quite distinctive." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be to-morrow." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be appeal." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it will be renamed. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of certainly do as you advise." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and put his glass in his pocket. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every awkward doing business with an alias." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in room?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'Where could I find him?' "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went James Windibank. Voilà tout!" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old