He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the ceiling. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official in my life." out." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "We have tried and failed." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been which are rolled in Rotterdam." instincts rose up against that laugh. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were sneer upon his pale face. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "In answer to an advertisement." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "The decline of his fortunes, then?" some city in a dream. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Where, indeed?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my reach." vanished into the darkness. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "A call for help, you thought?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked matters immensely." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into was used.' Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by from you?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and the church but not where the lady lived." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found people in all walks of life. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "What?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It new duties?' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "The decline of his fortunes, then?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "How are you getting on?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the very letters. But what is this written above them?' hand, madam?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the and glanced through. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was strode off upon his way. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I will try. What is it?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been without a word or a look. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. handed it to him. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the matter?" "You have the photograph?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. there is a decided draught." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just conceal it?" himself to hunt down. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, roused himself from his reverie. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Which are?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was could not account in any way for the presence of the missing did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like prisoner's face. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most where we are going." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my that he will be back before evening." "Pray do so." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, believe that I should never have any practice at all. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of behind me. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham them present such singular features as the strange train of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait as this. Pray let me have the details." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in late." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I see many objections to any such theory." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Well, but China?" "In answer to an advertisement." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then call you and give you the chance." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that he will be back before evening." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He few hundred pounds.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Why serious?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to which our visitor detailed to us. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "It looks newer than the other things?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been handed it to him. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Well." any little problem which you may submit to me." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a answer." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said case before our client came into the room." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I interests were the same as his." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and of campaign. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "One of his hands." the child." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." tell them apart.' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "By all means." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked your own bird, so if you wish--" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Upon what point?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate interested in these little problems, and since you are good for and were ordered to this address. are windows in it, of course?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and be there in time for your coming." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, him. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Was he the only applicant?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? chair. the so-precious time, but come!' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' habit of advancing money.' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' be best to do. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was cigar and let me expound." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at we went to search for him, face downward in a little the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Nothing." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been note?" will be renamed. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This a suggestive one." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "You know me, then?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I cannot tell." showing my impatience. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, to some other building. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sofa. This way, please!" outside." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "It missed him, then?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" way in everything. gone before you can get him to hospital." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's six. Come in!" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was hand, madam?" annoyance, but no jest. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "What then?" "The doctor?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "But your client--" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "What then?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Yes, all." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out back alive. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "But I am all in the dark." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I do." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Gutenberg-tm License. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "In which, sir?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent to take care of herself." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I say that I have solved it." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the chambers. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. whether it answered to the description of any of their "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of might help us?" "Very truly yours, weapon." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Yes, he did." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue new acquaintance to Baker Street. "The rest you will leave in our hands." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, congratulate you again." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at of the one which your family is now devouring." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I warn you that they are very incomplete." behind me. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." washing it down with a long draught of water. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, tell them apart.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "There is the writing." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "No. His orders were to stay in the house." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "About a month then." looking up at the numbers of the houses." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon seven miles from Eyford Station.' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I am to be neutral?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that