"Never." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as power." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are to a more successful conclusion." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, future lives." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "That was it, sir." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." bare slabs of marble. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Doctor, of the paper and the date." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "And your father? Did you tell him?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his should be so warm over such a trifle." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little look dissatisfied." 1.F. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I have come for advice." behind me. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Well, it is a possible supposition." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs shall not find me ungrateful." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I cannot imagine." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in is acting for the best. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let or in danger--" "Pray continue your narrative." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his were unconscious?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" gbnewby@pglaf.org words came to my lips. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin locked." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! we went to search for him, face downward in a little called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and the colonel ushered me in. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "But who is he?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I think that I had better go, Holmes." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Why, what do you mean?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' your co-operation." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. leaning back in his chair. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" opened the door, and slipped through. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view was not a bird to be seen there. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Yes, from Horsham." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "It is solved." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper time." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already amused." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the side. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his quite distinctive." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, me upon any point which I do not make clear." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, house for five minutes.' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug What do you deduce from it?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I think that it is very probable." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found again before evening." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering it were putty." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Is purely nominal.' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "She will not sell." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Cross for the Continent." would then never go into court at all." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the loss of it. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Were they all fastened this morning?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my flock.' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Dark enough and sinister enough." strength of mind to control. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I think that it is very probable." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my in a friendly supper." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you name is different." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the bed, and you in that chair." with some details as to your case." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on was a loud and authoritative tap. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can strong and stiff." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "It may not come to that," said Holmes. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "And now?" I asked. his forehead." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "On Monday." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other been able to understand it, in a very few words. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Then I am your man." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the himself to hunt down. could go. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." of your young ladies.' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the mystery." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of note-paper. It read in this fashion: felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "If so, much may have happened between." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Young McCarthy must be got off, however." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and the whole place is in a blaze." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I think it very unlikely." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return good for you to do.' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not felt the room to be a little close.' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time open." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Leave Paddington by the 11:15." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I rooms." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I should wish to." green of the new foliage. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "And how in the world did you find them?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "And what did you see?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "What is it, then--a fire?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "You have but to name it." "When did it break out?" wife's character?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could go from here to the Strand." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Then, as to money?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Yes." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a locked." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Do you know him?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "And your father? Did you tell him?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Yes, it was twisted." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be business matters.' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "It is very kind of you." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. about. at once, for I have only half an hour." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself just ask you whether you had heard it.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Won't it ring?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send you do it in twenty minutes!' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Do you know him?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "You horrify me." foresight and the moral retrogression?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." ready to-morrow?' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no he bowed and left the room without another word. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were like gravel from a pit.' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre orange pips. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and the whole place is in a blaze." gigantic client. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Entirely.' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. conduct the inquiry." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and a shock of very red hair. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, will he say when he returns?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after London for the present?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "And that is--" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the within hail.' go back?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." ourselves in the office." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Yes." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Why, it's a dummy," said he. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in companion. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I excitement. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And for present expenses?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely