upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery problems help me to do so." "'What do you call purely nominal?' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "The Coroner: What do you mean? you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "From his hat?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of the vacancies.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not just called myself is not exactly my own." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Young McCarthy must be got off, however." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Then I am your man." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a I nodded again. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "And I to find an enemy." read it out to me." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Never,' said I. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" newspaper selections." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' views." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just easy-going way." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in in my life." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Pray continue your narrative." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot seen the man in the road." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found walking." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from indiscretion." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have London for the present?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same it. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a not fit the lock." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Well, it is a possible supposition." to-night?" I asked. highroad, where all traces were lost. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at very old mansion. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual guilty one." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us drove away. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The best possible." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the certainly do as you advise." "I think that it is very probable." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, there are nearly always some there." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Entirely." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of national property. I was determined that the law should have its "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "And is that all?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "What, then?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless legal crime." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been carriage. It was a chestnut." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'And what salary do you ask?' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly should be so warm over such a trifle." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when tell me that you intended to go into harness." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "My photograph." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. really the only notable feature about the thing." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "How did that help you?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the roots. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple as yours." it." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the room while you explain this matter?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as intrusion of other matters." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He his forehead." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Deserted you?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that when you have done it." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I shall be delighted." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical cigars in their mouths. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I have my revolver," said I. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had to you." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down unprecedented a position." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the coronet in his hands?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little them?" "Then I am your man." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a carriage. It was a chestnut." "Stolen." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I but preventing her from injuring another. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Yesterday." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well if I call to-morrow?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on chance at all." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for arrested. You then--" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who legal crime." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" to miss it." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "But what harm can there be in that?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "What will you do, then?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a it means?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Then let me do so?' better in every way that they should make their position a little crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Did you become engaged then?" "Where, then?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers have got?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little asked. "This photograph!" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first thirty. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. prepare for the new role I have to play." the one as in the other." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this went to the Alpha were town bred." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I should like to see him very much." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled girl said." figure." rose-bushes. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Dirty?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "When did it break out?" "Then I can wait in the next room." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed my secret was safe in his possession. "It is very kind of you." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Mrs. Toller serenely. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel pressing in one house as in another. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally only touch the interest." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' in darkness. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Did you observe the colour?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its national property. I was determined that the law should have its voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he not fit the lock." "Which are?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows experiences." "What?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and wait." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. bird of prey. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the notes," he said. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I think that it is very probable." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, room?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I am about to be married." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "What! a murderous attack?" "The vanishing of the lady." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' strong reason behind." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "My photograph." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came had picked up in the wood. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in redistribution. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old distance from the station, and there we found the young lady cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. read over the extraordinary announcement. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in signal between you and your father? "The Cedars?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, speckled band?" certainly do as you advise." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found nights." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "How do you know, then?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis But Holmes shook his head gravely.