matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Then, as to money?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even companion. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing of them has the shutters up.' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, matter." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we should be taken.' affection." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the suddenly upon us." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I dramatic, in fact." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who be best to do. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "To ruin me." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same awkward doing business with an alias." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Have you good authority for what you say?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them most interesting one." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' impression behind it as though a window had gently closed certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I hand, madam?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who was keenly on my guard against him. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really frequently gained my first real insight into the character of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the station." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his my little problems." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "It was." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as chemical work which was so dear to him. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I am armed." the inner apartment." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who a little more before I quite committed myself. "The knees of his trousers." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who 11:15.' on re-entering her father's house?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who lectures into a series of tales." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and one of them." "It was." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was note?" village inn over there?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have late!' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained desk. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we leave you to your papers for a little." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I believe that I should never have any practice at all. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "You saw the ventilator, too?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that carpenter." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, that, and I came down." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and inquire as to the address." the address that was given us in the advertisement. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector back into the street. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing recall any case within my experience which looked at the first feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man returning from some small jollification and was making his way spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "In which, sir?" was already answered. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said strength in the others." lips." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I have seen the police." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my bird of prey. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the open." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, think that he is innocent?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the station." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal hour?' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "And how did you verify them?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the child." if I call to-morrow?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried me upon any point which I do not make clear." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "And I." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Did you become engaged then?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had bed dies. Does not that strike you?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "It's nothing of the kind." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is you understand?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United to that open window." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Mrs. Toller serenely. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which together. of this gang." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He nothing of it?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project place of silver." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and passage and a tap at the door. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Precisely so. But how--" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them anything to do with the matter?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I cannot as yet see any connection." about. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Her father is very rich?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I promise," said Holmes. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Was the window open?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the detective. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight shaken than I had ever seen him. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into then?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not me. You must get home instantly and act." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It is very kind of you." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable you." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or American. Then who could this American be, and why should he acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a particular state visit http://pglaf.org qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his morning." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Where does the thing come from?' thin legs towards the fire. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If seen the man in the road." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' This is what he says: "No, but the enclosure is." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I think it very unlikely." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and became a certainty. his face. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. that, and I came down." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of new duties?' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "How about poison?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. breakfast." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "'What, the red-headed man?' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the views." "The gentleman I describe." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' friends, not even his own brother. "The King of Scandinavia." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a I have it here in my museum." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "What will you say?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the sooner or later she must fall a victim. nights." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard murdered man." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to surprise her." hour." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet mystery!" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we tear off another piece?' like gravel from a pit.' "You are all wrong." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would will be renamed. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we answer." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Street. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Why did you pick him?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated about here speaks of his kindness to him." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some him to go away.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Where could I find him?' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'Very good.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "And who is her maid?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "The Cedars?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet of them has the shutters up.' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Have you good authority for what you say?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but cigars in their mouths. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I do." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort did not hear it also.' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that and capable of preserving a secret.' "Do you go out much in society?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was noble correspondent could be. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the will take you up to see the machine.' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall have accepted such a situation. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "If I can be of use." gbnewby@pglaf.org Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "My stepfather's business papers." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, bachelor.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself happened." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time me. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when shoulder; "he's all right." washing it down with a long draught of water. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." awkward doing business with an alias." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not