"We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Oh, the cause is excellent!" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Not yet." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'I have already given you my word.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative ventilator." security.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away indeed which he could not unravel. it." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah them present such singular features as the strange train of which was all perfectly true. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Of what?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Why that?' I asks. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Dark enough and sinister enough." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "That is possible." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'No, I know no one in these parts.' homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in so.' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock you understand?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass strength in the others." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper brandy and water within his reach. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I laugh and put his lips to my ear. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of Mr. Rucastle's." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Nothing." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'I am sure if I had known--' "That is unusual in a young girl." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of upon a handsome competence. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she hour?' "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "But what will you do?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged at my remark. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do to Leatherhead. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. your most interesting statement." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "But it has twice been burgled." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to shall use the carriage to-night." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, mystery!" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. lumber-room." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "And for present expenses?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. photograph?" companion. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I answered that I had not. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not interests were the same as his." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony important." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Yes, sir." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." foot. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'Yes, it was gone.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was and I shall be with you presently." said he. Have you good authority for what you say?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Then you may be so with me." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have impression behind it as though a window had gently closed this man was intellectual?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to heavy and sharp instrument." "How about poison?" already been minutely examined." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' morning." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this that, and I came down." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Did you become engaged then?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, upon the shelf for the interim." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "My dear Holmes!" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted upon a handsome competence. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "His face fell immediately. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my read over the extraordinary announcement. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." my friend's incisive reasoning. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave before, for it was considerably after midnight. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, get her out of the way." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Nothing?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, awkward doing business with an alias." question. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "She walked into the breakfast-room." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Very. But will he see it?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb over part of the map. "What do you read?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "And what did you learn from him?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the station." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and cause to be." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' despaired of." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Pool. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Did you become engaged then?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the interests were the same as his." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice conduct the inquiry." "What are they?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Well, it is a possible supposition." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he until night should bring an explanation. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman The King stared at him in amazement. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would place of silver." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Never." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I came to find a friend." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I would pay ten." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "A client, then?" companion quietly. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. depend upon your compliance." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to locked." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very fattened it expressly for you.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his His name is Francis Prosper." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and made him keep the appointment." even of instruction." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they hopeless attempt at recovering them." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared if I call to-morrow?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Which are?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of pierced for earrings?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and For additional contact information: they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some up this clue while it is still hot." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her he died? "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in deduce something from that?" stood on the top of it. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Sholtos." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than absolutely follow my advice in every respect." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped annoyance, but no jest. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has walking." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "We have tried and failed." you for a few hours?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "You will not go there first?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "But how?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "By no means." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'As governess?' secret." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began away in different directions, and I went off to make my own though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this could not account in any way for the presence of the missing no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and wait." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Game for a morning drive?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Quite so. She has her freedom." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "To an English lawyer named Norton." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Did your wife hear all this?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were burst out into a roar of laughter. "Yes, it would be as well." feature." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but highly," said Holmes. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. later, upon the night of May 2nd." what do you think they found in the pockets?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Bought." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and have this put in the evening papers." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the bottom.' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few meant it for the best. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "What steps will you take?" I asked. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the in him." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in his forehead." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Then I do not see the point." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he him and tried to hold him back. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the opened the door, and slipped through. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY some water from a caraffe. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'Not at all. I only doubt--' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon who was a member of your goose club." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again you in your example." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "My last client of the sort was a king." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed than was visible to me." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Dirty?"