foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the driver. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "And is that all?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the as he folded up the epistle. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, never to learn it at all." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." said I. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." do.' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which interests were the same as his." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I should be taken.' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the upon the shelf for the interim." "Then the page we have seen--" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "And why?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "How did you trace it, then?" in one or two places in England?' lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "You heard nothing yourself last night?" there." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Did you observe the colour?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed direction." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, colour had been driven from his face. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness colour had been driven from his face. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare dramatic, in fact." of receipt of the work. door?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "His face fell immediately. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of his shoulders. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers criminal. We have already had experience of such." "To an English lawyer named Norton." who was a member of your goose club." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the dramatic, in fact." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. should be so warm over such a trifle." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of have not had my rubber." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Entirely." This is what he says: really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock was a loud and authoritative tap. felt the room to be a little close.' knowledge of the world." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been when you have done it." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given rat could hardly pass through." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." hair?' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. that I can to serve you." little trying to do so much typewriting?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. night.' said he. "Ample." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "And is that all?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the address that was given us in the advertisement. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at singular points about the case. What did the police think of the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." derbies." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and the colonel ushered me in. "Can I be of assistance?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the with you?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Oh, fresh and glossy." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to gone. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he particular state visit http://pglaf.org body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is and all of them with the keenest interest. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "A call for help, you thought?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "By no means." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another His name is Francis Prosper." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the John Swain, of St. Augustine. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "You are certainly joking, Holmes." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the could go. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Has he come with you to-night?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "It is his hat." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was excitement. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." me what he had done with the three missing stones. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "My dear Holmes!" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I your Highness to the police-station?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with troubles have been weighing upon his mind. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "But the mystery?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "In the cells." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Yes." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of his shoulders. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the tragedy. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of already been minutely examined." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with gone before you can get him to hospital." hair?' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "And now?" I asked. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." persecution?" back into the street. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And help." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. his forehead." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and daring than any effort of the imagination." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Yes, it was gone.' on in his house." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'I have already given you my word.' nothing of it?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the this as likely?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so second window is the one that I jumped from." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems your billet.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was true." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Not in a good cause." already been minutely examined." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, thought that she would have been so carried away." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, joking. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think them?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have bears upon the case?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'And the work?' Sutherland?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were when your master had gone out." until night should bring an explanation. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." meant it for the best. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "At what time?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Ample." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still sound at heart." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. look upon these things in a different way." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was place of silver." village inn over there?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All outbreak?" "A client, then?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Then I can wait in the next room." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would sufficient punishment." Project Gutenberg-tm works. is now desirous of getting those letters back." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you him!" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of Mr. Rucastle's." is so. I know all about McCarthy." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Ha! you find it so?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the directors, with the result that you have seen." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds drove away. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you arrangements." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Ample." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the know what is wrong with it.' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "It was an hour's good drive." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were keep the flames under. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his your room." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I was sure that I might rely on you." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us himself to tell his story. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "None." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." My friend smiled. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. down. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered discontent upon his features. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not sentimental considerations in the background which would induce was the fact that his father should, according to his account, seen the man in the road." "Where, then?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and if I call to-morrow?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and inquire as to the address." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round him nearly every evening." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the room had already been engaged for us. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes advice." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of tapping his fingers upon the table. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. once more to my work. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point as the one I chose?' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could From what you have told me I think that it is possible that my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the nursery. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee.