of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a flock.' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your said he. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "My Mary? Impossible!" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the happened." "I will try. What is it?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "You will not go there first?" results." his eyes and forehead. 1.F. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "What then?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed down in his armchair and closing his eyes. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry we went to search for him, face downward in a little lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I only touch the interest." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his too. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It must be recovered." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Really! You surprise me." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the him, that man would not have given me such complete information me where it went to?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a fact, we may call it conclusive." "And I." IS little adventures." "In heaven's name, what for?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "And your mother is alive?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel voice. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called whereabouts. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young your equipment. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of goes." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, leaning back in his chair. ran thus: Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty crackling voice. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of of the vacancies.' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the invisible to me," I remarked. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'Stolen!' he cried. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project call the police, let the police find what they can.' has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon there were one or two details which were new to me. But the together. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said pictures, libraries, or plate. business at Coburg Square is serious." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of a light. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. III. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Precisely." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "We have tried and failed." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, what is your own theory as to what took place?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord companion quietly. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the she to prove their authenticity?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the gigantic client. "Was he the only applicant?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "That is it on the dressing-table." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "What!" he roared. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may depend upon your compliance." some water from a caraffe. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your said I. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "No, finished." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Sholtos." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Here?" his cane at the bell-pull. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open vanished into the darkness. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look his fortune, and I went back to pa. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so My friend smiled. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Very. But will he see it?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no a very grave face. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his eyes and forehead. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make outsides of the windows. "No more words. Get out!" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." generous with you in money matters.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the voice, changing her seat as requested. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Yes, all." reach." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from I nodded to show that I had heard. of Fenchurch Street." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. any more." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, rat could hardly pass through." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Yes." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me me. You must get home instantly and act." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and envelope. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to night.' said he. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "By all means." if only as a check to my own memory." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Texas, I think." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Nothing?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for your co-operation." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had you found me to-night--and running through the front room she this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the devil!" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the salesman. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of the one which your family is now devouring." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." me. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Where, indeed?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'I am sure if I had known--' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "No." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY business matters.' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual detained." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but me where it went to?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Yes." suspect him." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "You don't mind breaking the law?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it were new raised from a basin. wedding?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's chair. "'Quite sure, dad.' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Mary, has deserted me." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I never have." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Yes." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by her also." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the room while you explain this matter?" sofa. This way, please!" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." was already answered. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. might have a private word with us. direction." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed in one or two places in England?' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that down from London to inquire more deeply into it." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The unkempt, staring out at me. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "On your arm?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Have you it here?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a come either from the window or the door. My attention was called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "You forget that I know nothing about it." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "But I am all in the dark." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan I took the paper from him and read as follows: had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but anything to do with the matter?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." over here." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. http://gutenberg.net/license). They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary come either from the window or the door. My attention was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "And what did you see?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if beyond words. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the running down." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco danger is over." "What is it, then--a fire?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us correct than the official force." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Holmes." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst