admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side forehead. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business and effective." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the burst out into a roar of laughter. it." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Not particularly." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he generous with you in money matters.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in make me his representative both with the servants and with the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your maid will bring up your coffee." at home. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Heh?' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, himself in a perplexing position. security.' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I am to be neutral?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no companion. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "That is easily got." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had them?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has hour." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not them?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods nice household for a young lady." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'Why that?' I asks. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was quite distinctive." "I have solved it." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and see me here to avoid scandal." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "In which, sir?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "The vanishing of the lady." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Gutenberg-tm License. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind own family. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "None." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation hurried away. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to Leatherhead. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely detained." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Where, then, is my wife?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You will not go there first?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to man. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Yes, certainly." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a lost nothing by them." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that it with his own hands." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. of." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "But she will refuse." "If I can be of use." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, delighted to hear it," he said. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the delighted to hear it," he said. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "And when will you call?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "You will not go there first?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges miles off. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and you understand?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you remarked. the coronet at all injured?" know all about it," he snarled. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." are, and they are waiting for us." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "And what did you see?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her o'clock is it?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with I took the paper from him and read as follows: children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Yes, it would be as well." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Yes." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, events, Mr. Windibank!" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I have seen the police." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to change my dress. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a other lovers by making love himself." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "From his hat?" dead, shall be safe with us." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a trying to your nerves." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the minor matters until to-morrow." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you three of the beryls in it, was missing. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the King without delay." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his walking." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "The landlord of the Alpha." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I don't say that. Perhaps." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own James Windibank. Voilà tout!" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how What do you deduce from it?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he must be when I saw the door open.' the very morning of the wedding." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Yes, he did." nonsense.' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among roused himself from his reverie. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "We have tried and failed." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or ourselves in the office." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Yes." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then very peculiar words of the dying woman?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray you." not within a twentieth part of the market price." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing silent! Oh, he will be silent!' IS the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" character. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man with some details as to your case." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of fear." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Holmes' face clouded over. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom was used.' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked man. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "No." his grey eyes. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely bird I ate is country bred." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "But of what society?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Yes." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Yes. He waved his hands." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "But who is he?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I constraint." comes from the middle window." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce in this note: pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few existence." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "No." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were closely." "It is no ordinary one." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural it right.' walking." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear his wife has ceased to love him." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no gbnewby@pglaf.org business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, one of them." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the your room." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for or other trace. But how on earth--" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. tell them apart.' came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "How did he come?" Heh?' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Foundation autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the was a perfect sample of the class. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Ah, but I was recommended to you." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than believe that I should never have any practice at all. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief attention." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the coroner come to?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Where, then?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. bled considerably." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a yourselves in at night?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which *** START: FULL LICENSE *** as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman events than those which have happened in my own family." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'About the same.' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." made him keep the appointment." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, very morning of my second wedding." ventilator." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am gone. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work you came in." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves as noiselessly as she had come. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." some terrible trap for her." awkward doing business with an alias." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "No legal papers or certificates?" guilty parties." the coroner come to?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth presume?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to events, Mr. Windibank!" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Why, it's a dummy," said he. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my must compliment you." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right directors, with the result that you have seen." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried.