"But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge relief. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the prison!" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the I leave." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, help us in this matter." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "You know me, then?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Street. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts pressing in one house as in another. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Eyford at 11:15.' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might fat-encircled eyes. fuss that is made over them." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and envelope. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little exactly what you advise." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Lee, in the county of Kent." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'Yes, sir.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive vault. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I cannot think." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "No sign of it?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." tell me that you intended to go into harness." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "What! Had he lost his wife?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one people in all walks of life. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable States. chemical work which was so dear to him. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'Why that?' I asks. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I guessed as much." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes, but only for you and me." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the one which it was hard to resist. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a carried out of court." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still keep the flames under. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we unkempt, staring out at me. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the one of them." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to than to us. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my congenial hunt. grasp, he hurried from the room. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had were new raised from a basin. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, is," said he presently: the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "And the murderer?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For records." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have better in every way that they should make their position a little I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. row." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's not fit the lock." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a been deceived." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, like that before?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I during which he might have communicated with his friend the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird stammered. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass are, I think, all that we need." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own late!' process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "What can you not understand?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Then I am your man." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "To an English lawyer named Norton." Arthur Conan Doyle who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been little adventures." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away amused." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "It is half-past ten now." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "How many? I don't know." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "That also I could fathom." the room while you explain this matter?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining gentleman's clothes. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding woman who has had her own way to make in the world. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." was it brought him the coronet? "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Not in the least." a monotonous occupation." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped outside." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside together. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "It is half-past ten now." "Oh, fresh and glossy." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. up this clue while it is still hot." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's your troubles." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid subject to the trademark license, especially commercial lost his Christmas dinner." "Upon what point?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their round and wave him away like that.' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and depend upon your compliance." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "And your father? Did you tell him?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and wedding?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I residence of the great financier. "How many? I don't know." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And now?" I asked. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few this man was intellectual?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his off." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the room while you explain this matter?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was you in yours." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the less than 26s. 4d. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he persecution?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker about. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "And sit in the dark?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'Ten to two.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'Yes, it was gone.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to seven miles from Eyford Station.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and chambers. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. redistribution. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Quite sure, dad.' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be already referred to. there is a decided draught." second window is the one that I jumped from." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, get the tickets." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his extraordinary contortions. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Indeed! Whose, then?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah with you alone." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "You know me, then?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your upon a handsome competence. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten digesting their breakfasts at home." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It certainly sounds feasible." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'And the work?' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "We were both in the photograph." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in I was concerned in it." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." investigation." "How can you tell that?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in