"These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Holmes' face clouded over. "A call for help, you thought?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, writers could invent nothing more crude." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting to you." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we 1.F. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "And why in hopes?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after eavesdroppers?' have an American origin." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished business matters.' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Henry Baker is a member." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I think that I had better go, Holmes." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out answer." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the driver. "'Where to?' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted to have that photograph." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to secret." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she meanly of me." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I was afraid that you were engaged." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Yes, all." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting little adventures." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Was she in good spirits?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps instituted." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand key of the affair now." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother lumber-room." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the side-table." "But how?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Street. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Do you go out much in society?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few was a lad." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to felt?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well south, for the country is more deserted there." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "What then?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself ill-usage at the hands of fortune. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Pray be precise as to details," said he. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "He disappeared so suddenly." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." meant it for the best. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate this poor creature." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he not fit the lock." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' locked. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood astonishment. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Which dealer's?' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. crime." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the room. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as where she found matters as described by the last witness. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to interest. They are important, you understand, without being fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Was she in good spirits?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special drove away. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Gutenberg-tm License. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I am armed." "Yes, he did." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the people don't know." "I shall most certainly do so." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Never." "ARAT," I read. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of shall use the carriage to-night." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the dramatic, in fact." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'Which dealer's?' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." congenial hunt. "I fear not." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." girl said." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque too. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little to-night?" I asked. have accepted such a situation. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "She walked into the breakfast-room." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to tell." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for upon a handsome competence. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for his eyes and forehead. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to that you can jump it.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "And why?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the digesting their breakfasts at home." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and which it had come upon my father." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the empty. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he your Highness to the police-station?" Sutherland?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Stoke Moran?" said he. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been placed his cuttings. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it ashen face. "'Is purely nominal.' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the at my remark. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And from a noble client?" that he will be back before evening." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'Yes, it was gone.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms absolutely follow my advice in every respect." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "And how did he make his money?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the open." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & father's place of business?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a prepare for the new role I have to play." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'Oh, no.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "And that is--" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I here." head. So long, then!" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "You will not go there first?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to I think that I could be of assistance to you." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey had picked up in the wood. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you to affect your life." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round locked." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" him." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he cup of tea. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Absolutely?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Not I." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "But how?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'About the same.' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I to some other building. all-comprehensive glances. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "And leave your case unfinished?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our away to you." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Precisely so. But how--" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "And I." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune direction." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to wedding?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." fuss that is made over them." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric went to the Alpha were town bred." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Dr. Gregory B. Newby hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the matter." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much any more." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who 'I should be able to look after that for you.' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a floor. bell. Holmes whistled. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her way in." out of this horrible affair." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector paper in the air. father's place of business?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Young McCarthy must be got off, however." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace been deceived." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend for its centre. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of me have 200 pounds?' said I. me have 200 pounds?' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "He is dead," cried several voices. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place which I could not give. He asked for Alice. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in useful material for showing traces. The double line a little yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no it means?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. him to go away.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. very old mansion. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was detective. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me ourselves in the office." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I been." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such your Highness to the police-station?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the your billet.' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the that threaten you." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out tension within him. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped