pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by present." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Where did you address your letters, then?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' south, for the country is more deserted there." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace than to us. "I fear not." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "What! You do not mean bodies?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed The King stared at him in amazement. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I see many objections to any such theory." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." girl said." new duties?' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very always that they were such commands as a lady might with very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hands. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout You want to know what became of those geese?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Was your sister dressed?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want to arrive at through this?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the criminal. We have already had experience of such." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Well?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm them?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the Red-headed League." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when one which it was hard to resist. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. who was a member of your goose club." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced he. grasp, he hurried from the room. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the inner apartment." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to introspective fashion. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Could he throw no light?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I carriage. It was a chestnut." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax crackling voice. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better people don't know." chambers. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "You don't mind breaking the law?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door papers." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the King without delay." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and the church but not where the lady lived." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very people in all walks of life. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' in my life." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," ago." giving me time to thank him. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began look upon these things in a different way." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very wedding?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "One?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You hour." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, obstinate." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would carpenter." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary with you?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very arms and began to sob in a high treble key. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I it." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel heavy and sharp instrument." "Who was the criminal, then?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I have hopes." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "None." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a My friend smiled. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came second." wedding?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but knowledge of the world." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose him to be an active member of the medical profession." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I would pay ten." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination had formerly been in part my own. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and it need not interfere very much with one's other Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, leave you to your papers for a little." it." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of as yours." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with his grey eyes. closing the door. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. notes," he said. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is him to go away.' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would there was no need for father to know." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing maiden herself was most instructive." "Then he might have called to you?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything dramatic, in fact." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, meant it for the best. strength." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Indeed! Whose, then?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke been." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take third from London." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the nursery. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "There is the writing." in his power. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Yes." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "You will not go there first?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out developed." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and what do you think they found in the pockets?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It conclusions. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished door?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "You are hungry," I remarked. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but do.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; comes from the middle window." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is to tell." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "The murder was done with it." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Yes, certainly." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with awaited us upon the table. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, you came in." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in there is a decided draught." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I never have." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist instituted." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be prisoner's face. "Yes, I have one waiting." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "He said that you could solve anything." what I may call a really hard day's work." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man God! What an exposure! What can I do?" down. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's developed." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." them, and came down just as you departed. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known are windows in it, of course?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Certainly." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Will you go?" ventilator." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles within hail.' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, outside. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the train.' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a felt the room to be a little close.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the head. So long, then!" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "No, thank goodness, she did not." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always already referred to. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of quickly through a disagreeable task. "But how?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "My photograph." with frightened eyes at his accuser. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor charged with?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is as noiselessly as she had come. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful to miss it." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "On Monday." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the nights." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "On Monday." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "And sit in the dark?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "None." so.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a for securing the situation." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I at my remark. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "The Coroner: What do you mean? and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into shadow pass over his face as I spoke. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over But Holmes shook his head gravely. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent appeared upon the scene." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "A client, then?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's sooner or later she must fall a victim. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "The decline of his fortunes, then?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the about here speaks of his kindness to him." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good me." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and own family. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been