strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away promised to bring home. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in But Holmes shook his head gravely. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Did you observe the colour?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa do.' eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked recover the gem." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that dramatic, in fact." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'Is purely nominal.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an new duties?' "May I see it?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Watson," he said cordially. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it meant." But Holmes shook his head gravely. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was husband's writing, madam." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Will you go?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young train.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "And how did you verify them?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and voice. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." sound at heart." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the inquest, and which are worth considering." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I promise," said Holmes. breakfast." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Where, then?" intrusion of other matters." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to new duties?' way: you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Game for a morning drive?" you." third from London." returned to France?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows hardly wander." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our you do it in twenty minutes!' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "The vanishing of the lady." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the very letters. But what is this written above them?' orange pips. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was night.' said he. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the Assizes." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "She told me to ask you." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper all-comprehensive glances. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Project Gutenberg-tm works. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Pray be precise as to details," said he. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "What of the rat, then?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "By no means." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" other means.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the devil!" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "How did he come?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "You forget that I know nothing about it." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." any more." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas sooner or later she must fall a victim. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His ways of our fellow-men." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "From his hat?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the appointment with me for six o'clock?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Yes." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up fear." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they reach." "It's nothing of the kind." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." main points of my analysis." "Always." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Never." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I am to be neutral?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Nothing." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." to-morrow." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable empty. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more flock.' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Well." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even It was close upon four before the door opened, and a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that them, and came down just as you departed. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From developed." "How on earth--" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. three of the beryls in it, was missing. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and your relations to her." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings must compliment you." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Sutherland?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Bought." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in be. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other lamp in his hand. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition strong reason behind." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "What can you not understand?" "Well, but China?" room?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, head. So long, then!" "To the police?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to arrive at through this?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "And how?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he companion quietly. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Of what?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "No. What a strange idea!" head. So long, then!" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "That is not always so easy." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Nothing?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to prison!" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed McCarthy." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I cannot tell." through." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at know what is wrong with it.' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Then I am your man." side. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Pray continue your narrative." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to is now desirous of getting those letters back." You want to know what became of those geese?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "She will not sell." "I see no marks." "Yes. He waved his hands." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Yes, but only for you and me." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which meant it for the best. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the success. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of them has the shutters up.' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction to his chemical studies. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "What?" which it had come upon my father." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will always that they were such commands as a lady might with over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the so-precious time, but come!' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused meant." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, had a long day." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I shall be delighted." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw himself in a perplexing position. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, better grown goose." the little opening for the ventilator is." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I have seen the police." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the child." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, went to the Alpha were town bred." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the very morning of the wedding." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which directors, with the result that you have seen." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my closing the door. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of sufficient punishment." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Ample." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' that I may have something better before very many minutes are at my own good fortune. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime hurried by. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Nor running a chance of arrest?"