"His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." have had none more fantastic than this." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever get the tickets." second." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "There are none." were unconscious?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Pray tell us what has happened to you." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his interested in these little problems, and since you are good fashion which was peculiar to him. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his late." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'There is a drive, then?' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my This is what he says: say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" sparkled upon his finger. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of again, where I was soon asleep. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." public press." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we I approached. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand wedding?" "And how have you succeeded?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I fear not." with some details as to your case." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." to-night." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "My own seal." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I washing it down with a long draught of water. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had better grown goose." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "So I heard. You have him here?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "The knees of his trousers." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. hereditary King of Bohemia." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Then he might have called to you?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Yes, they were peculiar boots." been deceived." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "What are they?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Stolen, then." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Your sister is dead, then?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Yes, it would be as well." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the his eyes and forehead. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' showing my impatience. "Her father is very rich?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I waste of energy." should be taken.' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other persecution?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I am about to be married." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." showing my impatience. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where which our visitor detailed to us. again." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled it." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home to some other building. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp very peculiar words of the dying woman?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go compunction about shooting them down." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are way in." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to me what he had done with the three missing stones. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" invisible to me," I remarked. you." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the an introduction to him?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "This concluded the examination of the witness." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I should be immensely obliged to you." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I guessed as much." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by what do you think they found in the pockets?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass you?' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Certainly." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "No?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has again before evening." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. gone before you can get him to hospital." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. looking up at the numbers of the houses." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "You are certainly joking, Holmes." her also." is a common subject for conversation. in. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included will find little credit to be gained out of this case." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I lost his Christmas dinner." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the strength in the others." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the so-precious time, but come!' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what even of instruction." "No, I had a dozen." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you or in danger--" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether During two years I have had three consultations and one small possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would said he at last. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "By train from Waterloo." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your anything to do with the matter?" "What shall I do?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. never will be, entirely cleared up. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has goes." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" hurried away. "Witness: I must still refuse. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their so far?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "But how?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of again, where I was soon asleep. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at footfalls from the street. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "What can you not understand?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and it need not interfere very much with one's other the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at been lifted and conveyed somewhere." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you lost nothing by them." may have an influence upon European history." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Were they all fastened this morning?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now telegram would bring me down to your help." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Chief Executive and Director you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at me. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I own family. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed depend upon my doing so.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Stolen!' he cried. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Where did you address your letters, then?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and gentleman's clothes. "None. Neville wrote those words." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself begun to whiten, even as mine has." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your happened." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "None." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "The knees of his trousers." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, business at Coburg Square is serious." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Holmes' thin, eager face. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' case before our client came into the room." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the coroner come to?" "The murder was done with it." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler means taking possession of that which another person has a prior should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the anything to do with the matter?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I notes," he said. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De was already answered. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of national property. I was determined that the law should have its are, I think, all that we need." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first pictures, libraries, or plate. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed an introduction to him?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than cigars in the box." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates over his head with a sweet womanly caress. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that your troubles." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to