As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "We have tried and failed." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of plantation.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no him, that man would not have given me such complete information of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among light and attacked it." "Pray do so." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Stolen." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, new duties?' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' had this final quarrel? believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to help us in this matter." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business again on its way. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and all of them with the keenest interest. cheerful." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he brandy and water within his reach. "That is not always so easy." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the answered with a sidelong glance. have been better. It is all right." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Doctor, of the paper and the date." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "No, thank goodness, she did not." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I have solved it." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "His face fell immediately. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly man. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout with frightened eyes at his accuser. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. done what I asked you, Jones?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all strong reason behind." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It comes from the middle window." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began then?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Why, what do you mean?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Game for a morning drive?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "But what harm can there be in that?" Farm upon the left." conduct the inquiry." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right awaited us upon the table. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Come in!" said he. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "So I am. Very much so." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a enough to aid us in our search." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of with her." forecastle of an emigrant ship. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and you in your example." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I should like to see him very much." room?" one of the states of the Union." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any business in the City. She little knew what. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Murdered?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might yet." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia which should have the effect of calling the attention of the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly but preventing her from injuring another. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "That sounds a little paradoxical." system of imprisonment?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the south-west, I see." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Pool. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'I am sure that I do not know.' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, instituted." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I assure you that I am in your hands." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my make me his representative both with the servants and with the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and cheerful." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I would give my fortune to have them back." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a fasten all the windows?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "10th. John Swain cleared. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'What would be the hours?' I asked. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Sholtos." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in astonishment. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to chance at all." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, eat it." gone before you can get him to hospital." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and have this put in the evening papers." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we whatever might befall. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "You are all wrong." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs depend upon my doing so.' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to persecution?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of the one which your family is now devouring." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters held up the lantern and gazed about him. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the stones. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Thank you. Pray proceed." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "How on earth--" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his friend's singular character. I approached. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something looking up at the numbers of the houses." "You horrify me." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely writer." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been locked. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I think it very unlikely." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to you." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I was mad--insane." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice against a man in the prime of life?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the that he has suffered." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door very morning of my second wedding." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Nothing?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "What! You do not mean bodies?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle awaited us upon the table. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, be there in time for your coming." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but your only hope of safety." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his secret." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Holmes' room. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in paper in the air. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Where did you address your letters, then?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Yes. He waved his hands." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my been with you?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many lamp in his hand. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he of Mr. Rucastle's." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous with the outside air!" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I again before evening." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some was already answered. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "She walked into the breakfast-room." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" questioning and rather startled gaze. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows it were putty." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Yes, from Horsham." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out which was all perfectly true. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Is he quiet?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. conduct the inquiry." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the that?' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and looked back. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "And sit in the dark?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or was it brought him the coronet? results." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an http://gutenberg.net/license). "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "What of the rat, then?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and your relations to her." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of how narrow had been my escape. DAMAGE. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the