simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" prepare for the new role I have to play." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "But what will you do?" note?" morning." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "But your client--" which it had come upon my father." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we mysterious business." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "He might." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you way in everything. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "What do you make of that, Watson?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the bottom.' you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective in this note: as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and the colonel ushered me in. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in sake, don't!" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "But she could not love him." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his open." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his gone. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Very much so." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Then I do not see the point." my secret was safe in his possession. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" signal between you and your father? over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. best detective that ever lived. "You have a clue?" weighed down with some great anxiety. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I am armed." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from roused himself from his reverie. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same main points of my analysis." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "It must be recovered." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old fat-encircled eyes. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he have an American origin." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for jewels which you have stolen?' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he spark where all is dark to me." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "He is dead," cried several voices. "Eh? What was that?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again upon the sideboard." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Nothing." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that interests were the same as his." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge presume?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp easy-going way." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "At what time?" Mrs. Toller serenely. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" said Mr. Holder. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Ample." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps that his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I promise," said Holmes. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Clair, of Lee." locked." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, child?' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Very truly yours, "Absolutely?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "But who is he?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "What?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for it." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "What?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress will take you up to see the machine.' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, shall not find me ungrateful." "Stolen." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), breakfast and whispered something to her husband. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when seem to you to be relevant or not." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of campaign. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have character. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the promised to bring home. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, any." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "No sign of it?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the returning from some small jollification and was making his way relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was this truth that in these little records of our cases which you lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the crowd. cause to be." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. morning." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the business at Coburg Square is serious." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, giving me time to thank him. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this soul! here is her carriage at the door." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Married! When?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "My photograph." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil colour had been driven from his face. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "You don't mind breaking the law?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the coronet in his hands?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, you came in." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the coronet at all injured?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I came to find a friend." "At the wedding breakfast." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have will he say when he returns?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting waste of energy." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "How did you trace it, then?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I meant." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the beyond words. narrative." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the one as in the other." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a monotonous occupation." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should place, I think that there is good ground to think that the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "You have but to name it." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me which are rolled in Rotterdam." there." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, hair?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at your only hope of safety." highroad, where all traces were lost. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to wanted for ourselves." in his power. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast you, my dear young lady?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "No?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the without a word or a look. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I with frightened eyes at his accuser. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Come in!" said he. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in despaired of." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has your Highness to the police-station?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I am all attention, madam." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham notes," he said. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "But we can't all be." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital investigation." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Was he the only applicant?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush this remarkable episode. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "You don't mind breaking the law?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he shadow pass over his face as I spoke. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "You don't mind breaking the law?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem papers diligently of late, have you not?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, matters immensely." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what away into the river." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in of a light. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when It was close upon four before the door opened, and a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate true." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he to have been novel and of interest." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in here and I will read it to you: the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute have one." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy read over the extraordinary announcement. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' chamber." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. definite end. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he have one." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of undoubtedly my uncle's." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Stolen, then." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might strength in the others." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the