Sutherland. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking here." during which he might have communicated with his friend the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang you." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water fear." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Then he might have called to you?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he dates and names. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," swore that no one else had been in the front room during the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. rooms." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a already been minutely examined." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that, and I came down." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if would apply.' "That's no good." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too will be renamed. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. taking in every detail of the apartment. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as she to prove their authenticity?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed criminal. We have already had experience of such." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the off." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "They are typewritten," I remarked. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers You want to know what became of those geese?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the photograph?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a with the outside air!" trifles." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny depend upon your compliance." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Can I be of assistance?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Do you receive much company?" he asked. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds more terrible than the truth. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Come in!" said Holmes. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "And the cigar-holder?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I do." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that least a fellow-countryman. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a go back?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not cause to be." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could this as likely?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and stepfather?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My sake, don't!" "It was an hour's good drive." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key he died? them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away again on its way. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began handed it to him. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "You think that he is dead?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "No. His orders were to stay in the house." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "But who is he?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which fat-encircled eyes. so.' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I have come for advice." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That His name is Francis Prosper." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the instincts rose up against that laugh. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I arrangements." "And the cigar-holder?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so minor matters until to-morrow." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Here?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her client, rising. arrangements." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a lost his Christmas dinner." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to some other building. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are during that time.' hurried by. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has call for protection in the marriage market, for the present wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon should be taken.' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we appeared upon the scene." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Perhaps we may make them less so." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "In San Francisco, a year ago." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go one else, I think." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we galvanised. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or was it brought him the coronet? know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and looked back. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be not within a twentieth part of the market price." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked companion imperturbably. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Precisely so. But how--" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." whatever might befall. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I was afraid that you were engaged." any more." "I guessed as much." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the address that was given us in the advertisement. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Mrs. Toller serenely. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'About the same.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square carriage. It was a chestnut." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and presume?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this writer." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." sake, don't!" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the salesman. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would could not have written that. It is the German who is so For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "But you can know nothing of this?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "And how have you succeeded?" "Seven!" I answered. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the King without delay." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." national property. I was determined that the law should have its had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you be there in time for your coming." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to Leatherhead. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "My opinion is in no way altered." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Never." "A client, then?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case with you alone." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Dirty?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Whose house is it?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' head. So long, then!" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "By train from Waterloo." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Yes.' "What can you not understand?" was a lad." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I know where it is." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out States. "What can you not understand?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that he will be back before evening." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left happened." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom outside." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "You don't mind breaking the law?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "And I to find an enemy." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the to-morrow." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a what these perils are?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Where, then?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Was she in good spirits?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will gone. matters immensely." fact, we may call it conclusive." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "One of the highest in England." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The was once confined in the cab my mission was practically at my own good fortune. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "It goes to the housekeeper's room." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a been." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray are windows in it, of course?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the bed, and you in that chair." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see of receipt of the work. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great national property. I was determined that the law should have its surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At is acting for the best. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose man. certainly do as you advise." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Certainly." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "What are you going to do, then?" I asked.