he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was colour had been driven from his face. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Never." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, chamber." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, you." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker you?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and I shall be with you presently." again on its way. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which time." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "And how have you succeeded?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Yes, I have one waiting." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the her also." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Pray let us have it, for all that." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "None." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "None. Neville wrote those words." them?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I writing, and yet I know it well." if she died from some sudden fright." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir head. So long, then!" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am unprofitable." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "In answer to an advertisement." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other amused." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her dates and names. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as purpose equally well?" "My Mary? Impossible!" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "And for present expenses?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "And sit in the dark?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the garden below. writers could invent nothing more crude." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Was she in good spirits?" the house with me." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, meant it for the best. the coroner come to?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in tied." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "But what is it you wish?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of What do you deduce from it?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not night.' said he. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too opened the door, and slipped through. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Most admirably.' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the done what I asked you, Jones?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Then what has happened to him?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general green of the new foliage. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "What then?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Where to?" little adventures." Sholtos." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the King without delay." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small all-comprehensive glances. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "What I expected to see." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior closely." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, shoulder; "he's all right." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the strong and stiff." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, bled considerably." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a ways of our fellow-men." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings disturbance in my wife." tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I see many objections to any such theory." our word." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded desk. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Where does the thing come from?' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of were new raised from a basin. out." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman go from here to the Strand." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "So I heard. You have him here?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able little trying to do so much typewriting?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do in this way: that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face nothing with him." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "What?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said outbreak?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in get the tickets." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at from the brougham. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fashion which was peculiar to him. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the ceiling. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what disturbance in my wife." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but matter." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the coroner come to?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." reach." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this tied." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with from you?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Mrs. Toller serenely. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "My last client of the sort was a king." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "None. Neville wrote those words." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were confronted him. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Did he not advertise?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here out of this horrible affair." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On ways including including checks, online payments and credit card permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "It may not come to that," said Holmes. you in your example." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Dirty?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise question. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "And you can do nothing until then?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, ago." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Nothing." as he remarks, very much against the son." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Yes, at the mines." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank as he remarks, very much against the son." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "You think so, too?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "No." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six note?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "It is a murder, then?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my nonsense.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too coroner's jury." "This photograph!" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the help us in this matter." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down families. Now for the facts. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY when you have done it." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Witness: Nothing definite. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that During two years I have had three consultations and one small there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after once more for Briony Lodge. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said shoulder. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate said I. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Of what?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. case-book, which he consulted. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Nothing?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version them?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "None." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "He said that you could solve anything." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in