"No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we future lives." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I am all attention, madam." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal power." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Nothing." where she found matters as described by the last witness. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending question. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Holmes' room. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old absolutely follow my advice in every respect." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such when your master had gone out." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "What?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, there are nearly always some there." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. himself in a perplexing position. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You horrify me!" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, ceremony." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a a little more before I quite committed myself. Project Gutenberg-tm works. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" waste of energy." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to some other building. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional is acting for the best. "I think that it is very probable." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been later, upon the night of May 2nd." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "You have carte blanche." brandy and water within his reach. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'Then let me do so?' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle strength of mind to control. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his had this final quarrel? betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to four million human beings all jostling each other within the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the chemical work which was so dear to him. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'I shall certainly be there.' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most in the port of London." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have chambers. which was all perfectly true. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as not as remarkable as your advertisement." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to if only as a check to my own memory." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I tail." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Nothing?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Lee, in the county of Kent." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Stoke Moran?" said he. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Get out!" said he. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "What then?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Have you her photograph?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I more solid." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault astonishment. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Certainly." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the too. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs fattened it expressly for you.' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for directors have had misgivings upon the subject." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "And is that all?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to is," said he presently: "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, gigantic client. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'And the work?' who was a member of your goose club." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Nothing?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it do you make of it all?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers said he, "my real name is James Ryder." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a light and attacked it." charged with?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "And for present expenses?" trifles." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. rose-bushes. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white formed some opinion?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Leave Paddington by the 11:15." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "She will not sell." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on lost nothing by them." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a page at http://pglaf.org With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the License. You must require such a user to return or dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the where she found matters as described by the last witness. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a distinguish the words: here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "You have compromised yourself seriously." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'What do you call purely nominal?' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Not I." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper his grey eyes. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began over his head with a sweet womanly caress. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your troubles have been weighing upon his mind. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard death." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I say that I have solved it." "Yes, sir." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must go back?" is a common subject for conversation. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of always that they were such commands as a lady might with only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "You have a clue?" extraordinary contortions. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be events than those which have happened in my own family." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to throat." which our visitor detailed to us. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid least a most suspicious remark." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is must be when I saw the door open.' accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Not particularly." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, meant it for the best. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, window when the police appeared." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out into the bag, and made for the door. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Indeed! Whose, then?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'Never,' said I. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had these bleak autumnal evenings." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I see no marks." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the than to us. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'Where to?' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one *** START: FULL LICENSE *** With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A not, dad?" she asked. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Perhaps I have." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously was used.' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. envelope. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "But his left-handedness." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Then you may be so with me." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Yes." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the affection." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Sutherland. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under said he. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can mystery." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the you came in." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A golden eyeglasses. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having letters?" during that time.' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "That also I could fathom." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I humiliation." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Where does the thing come from?' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day