slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight question," said Holmes, smiling. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed hair?' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward should be so warm over such a trifle." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'And the work?' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the obstinate." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'And what salary do you ask?' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Dark enough and sinister enough." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." peculiar to him. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door into the bag, and made for the door. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with during that time.' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door again." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "And I." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" like gravel from a pit.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is them?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be when you have done it." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," writers could invent nothing more crude." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the His name is Francis Prosper." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope charged with?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "She walked into the breakfast-room." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next morning." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a prepare for the new role I have to play." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." as he folded up the epistle. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my key turn in the lock." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "What will you say?" evidence," I remarked. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "And leave your case unfinished?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little me where it went to?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I been." third from London." is a common subject for conversation. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "How can you tell that?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "You have the photograph?" "He is dead," cried several voices. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens But Holmes shook his head gravely. writers could invent nothing more crude." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so became a certainty. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" once more for Briony Lodge. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little you give your casting vote to?" man. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Who was the criminal, then?" "Dr. Becher's." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there foot. without a word or a look. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had nothing of it?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further not personally threatened." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout several quiet little villages up there." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'Entirely.' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in miles off. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's go from here to the Strand." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. only touch the interest." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'About the same.' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Pope's Court. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom that he will be back before evening." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you is so. I know all about McCarthy." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be with the outside air!" "You horrify me." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "No legal papers or certificates?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon next day. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, your own bird, so if you wish--" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Yes." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'And what salary do you ask?' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the spark where all is dark to me." chance at all." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put for its centre. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. think, you have already met." should be taken.' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an think you a quite exceptional woman." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, that Leadenhall Street--and--" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions nothing with him." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle The King stared at him in amazement. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe with you alone." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to surprise her." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "It is solved." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood him to go away.' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said three fields round his house, and there he would take his then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the Friday. Was it to be in church?" did not hear it also.' horse could go." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will nice household for a young lady." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the loss of it. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the night.' gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most into her hand at the door and which lured her within their signal between you and your father? "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "To an English lawyer named Norton." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "That was it, sir." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the devil!" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when other, as fresh and trim as possible. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what feature." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection a suggestive one." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it families. Now for the facts. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "But his lameness?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to some other building. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than it? Did I buy the geese off you?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," perplexity from it to my illustrious client. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he interest. They are important, you understand, without being grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was sentimental considerations in the background which would induce eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "He might." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** whatever might befall. "How did he come?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, room had already been engaged for us. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I was mad--insane." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, had died away into the silence from which it rose. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis out." His name is Francis Prosper." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I see no marks." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke events than those which have happened in my own family." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he my friend's incisive reasoning. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' unkempt, staring out at me. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I have a cab outside." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "None." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "What! a murderous attack?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have photograph?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start to that open window." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that ashen face. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. giving me time to thank him. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "You have compromised yourself seriously." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is strength of mind to control. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by together. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Yes. He waved his hands." "No, I think that I'll take it." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I cannot think." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Is he quiet?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he conclusions. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and no precautions can guard against." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the delirious. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' whole matter to your consideration." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Come in!" said he. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to