the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the window, rose as we entered. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with unkempt, staring out at me. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed because she had spent so short a time in this country that she his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there said he. "'How far from the body?' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, keep the flames under. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the bed, and you in that chair." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love nonsense.' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Oh, the cause is excellent!" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Your sister is dead, then?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and put his glass in his pocket. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America discontent upon his features. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not that he has suffered." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand case before our client came into the room." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I shall most certainly do so." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "To the police?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation sake, don't!" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, so far?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such one or two very singular points about this room. For example, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and residence of the great financier. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Game for a morning drive?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given The note was undated, and without either signature or address. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to pictures, libraries, or plate. we went to search for him, face downward in a little on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he to his chemical studies. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." for and were ordered to this address. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "It came here." a room. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "But you have hopes?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. he died? I. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon with her." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "What are they?" it." have I gained?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. dear old homesteads?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of passage and a tap at the door. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." before the coroner and the police-court." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did used to be." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the make me his representative both with the servants and with the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I me. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking other lovers by making love himself." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "He said that you could solve anything." page at http://pglaf.org serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the station." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may see a sister of mine apply for." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Was the window open?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "What steps will you take?" I asked. "My dear Holmes!" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, a good hundred miles off by now." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to brain must have something in it." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Then he might have called to you?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of of receipt of the work. "Yes." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "How on earth--" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Has he come with you to-night?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "And who is her maid?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the ceiling. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have I gained?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a had a long day." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the lamp. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Yes, sir." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "None." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right room. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK passage and a tap at the door. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the side-table." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. dramatic, in fact." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, there in twenty minutes." I have it here in my museum." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "In answer to an advertisement." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the bed, and you in that chair." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed there has been an enclosure here!" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, sneer upon his pale face. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to shoulder; "he's all right." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I will not look." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were details." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Could he throw no light?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Foundation upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My empty. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss been." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I coat-tails." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent existence." "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Certainly." did not hear it also.' will he say when he returns?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "And how did he make his money?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Can I be of assistance?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped she might be summoned. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Precisely so. But how--" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and no precautions can guard against." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat meant it for the best. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Dr. Becher's." Watson," he said cordially. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Stolen." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Dark enough and sinister enough." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly you." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know passage and a tap at the door. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Pray do so." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Ten will be early enough." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Won't it ring?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, up this clue while it is still hot." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our this as likely?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. breakfast?" which it had come upon my father." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say tail." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Nothing?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon placed his cuttings. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for hopeless attempt at recovering them." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "There are none." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "9th. McCauley cleared. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "And now?" He raised his hand. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich bore every mark of being an average commonplace British colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "In answer to an advertisement." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of me. You must get home instantly and act." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "It was." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and the church but not where the lady lived." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, clang of the bell. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good will not take me long to tell. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across did not hear it also.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I should wish to." the salesman. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into 1.F. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Always." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her meant." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. him." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "If so, much may have happened between." your most interesting statement." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'Yes, I promise.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small upon an income of about 60 pounds." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "The rest you will leave in our hands." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "None." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to eat it." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards with you alone." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Cross for the Continent." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "But we can't all be." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And the cigar-holder?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with brandy and water within his reach. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I cannot think." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his