we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Was your sister dressed?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in writers could invent nothing more crude." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the beg that you will break it off." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to II. away to you." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I would apply.' what these perils are?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is really the only notable feature about the thing." "'A dozen yards or so.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to case before our client came into the room." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." in one or two places in England?' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" memory. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "That you are never beaten." really the only notable feature about the thing." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" light and attacked it." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "My last client of the sort was a king." looking up at the numbers of the houses." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. success. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "VIOLET HUNTER." outside." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined waste of energy." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "No, but the enclosure is." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Who by?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I system of imprisonment?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Very truly yours, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of wedding?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange be. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Precisely." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "At half-wages, in fact." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his nights." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. of Mr. Rucastle's." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the Red-headed League." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. is worth.' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which there were so many in the whole country as were brought together my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the will not take me long to tell. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "My opinion is in no way altered." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." maid will bring up your coffee." "It is a murder, then?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'I have heard so.' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his horse could go." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "But your client--" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, charge against him will break down." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy knowledge of the world." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Was he the only applicant?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "And help." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "That is possible." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this started for the Temple to see my husband. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while may have an influence upon European history." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'Yes, sir.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Then I am your man." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Witness: Nothing definite. politicians who had been sent down from the North. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have one." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and was a perfect sample of the class. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. whereabouts. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you acted in my house last night?" "So I am. Very much so." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Yes, that is the Crown." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "The gentleman I describe." Street. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Yes?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and maiden herself was most instructive." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "It goes to the housekeeper's room." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "What! Had he lost his wife?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." waste of energy." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" unprecedented a position." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Bought." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "My private note-paper." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Nothing?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the it with his own hands." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, his eyes and forehead. might have a private word with us. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Always." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Yes." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have held up the lantern and gazed about him. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need 11:15.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Eyford." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at to a light-house. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful way in." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young soul! here is her carriage at the door." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective sentimental considerations in the background which would induce self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of dear old homesteads?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the gigantic client. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Where, then, is my wife?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she begin with, and I had not got mine yet." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. said Mr. Holder. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I cigars in their mouths. derbies." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "His face fell immediately. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. village inn over there?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." what these perils are?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for foresight and the moral retrogression?" man. I know him from the photograph." detective. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well point in the dark hollow of his hand. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one companion. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and fluttered off among the others. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at look upon these things in a different way." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "It certainly sounds feasible." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of tail." "I shall most certainly do so." "But you have hopes?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the standing smiling on the door-step. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I was afraid that you were engaged." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Yes." question. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "You did not overhear what they said?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is his huge brown hands. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with felt?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I was mad--insane." him, that man would not have given me such complete information quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "But I am all in the dark." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Have you it here?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke lumber-room." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free good-night and bustled off upon her way. down. ways of our fellow-men." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "It's nothing of the kind." tied." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "My own seal." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she green of the new foliage. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Was he the only applicant?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the certainly do as you advise." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can http://www.gutenberg.net of note-paper. It read in this fashion: will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Come in!" said he. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the child." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a giving me time to thank him. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "That's no good." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." that you can jump it.' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply shaken than I had ever seen him. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "There is the writing." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of drawing your inferences." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Which dealer's?' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' have not had my rubber." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have with some details as to your case." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "The King of Scandinavia." through." "You horrify me." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned But Holmes shook his head gravely. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Young McCarthy must be got off, however." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my