already been minutely examined." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the fasten all the windows?" outside." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Nothing?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Lee, in the county of Kent." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that outbreak?" "Pray do so." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was open." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Not at all. I only doubt--' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of know that the truth is known." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'You cannot say what it was?' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Edgeware Road. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Precisely." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Have you her photograph?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a round with crates and massive boxes. points to suicide?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the how narrow had been my escape. "I do." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it confronted him. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "But we can't all be." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that certainly not very gracious." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, public press." "'I shall certainly be there.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "The doctor?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated learned something! Where are the gems?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and article?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "And now?" He raised his hand. Serpentine Avenue. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my impression behind it as though a window had gently closed dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much one else, I think." a very grave face. me have 200 pounds?' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." affair. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "A call for help, you thought?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 friend's singular character. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely ourselves in the office." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the that I can to serve you." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "My opinion is in no way altered." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was that he has suffered." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until spare." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help fashion which was peculiar to him. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only remarked. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Certainly." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "How did you deduce the select?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "What can you not understand?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. I nodded again. "Here?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the date of his supposed suicide." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Her father is very rich?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "This photograph!" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to away into the river." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the have accepted such a situation. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the crackling voice. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself to you." meanly of me." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I am still in the dark." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, get her out of the way." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke on in his house." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was certainly not very gracious." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and definite end. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater husband's writing, madam." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled been deceived." "He might." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much province." narrative." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read already been minutely examined." What do you deduce from it?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, fact, we may call it conclusive." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a taking in every detail of the apartment. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the interest. They are important, you understand, without being considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the address that was given us in the advertisement. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "That you are never beaten." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of cigar and let me expound." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Ample." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being triumphant cloud from his cigarette. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was window when the police appeared." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing it right.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. locked. go--none." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Serpentine Avenue. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "It missed him, then?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "But she will refuse." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "To an end?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." particular state visit http://pglaf.org We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." help us in this matter." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary any little problem which you may submit to me." question. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not that other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every is worth.' been." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was second." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "One of the highest in England." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where to have been novel and of interest." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "It goes to the housekeeper's room." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Oh, the cause is excellent!" forbidden door. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Street. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "One of the highest in England." Sutherland. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was so far?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Holmes. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah such attractions and accomplishments?' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'Very good.' you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the grasp, he hurried from the room. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." records." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his indeed happy." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left reach." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I most interesting one." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would late!' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "By train from Waterloo." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me in darkness. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the criminal. We have already had experience of such." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. charge against him will break down." him to go away.' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "A greater distance to travel." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I cannot imagine." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat