sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of must compliment you." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and beg that you will break it off." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and depend upon your compliance." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present night.' said he. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and the church but not where the lady lived." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been points to suicide?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue returned to France?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the very morning of the wedding." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Yes." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "His face fell immediately. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan habit of advancing money.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A shag which I had seen upon the previous night. about here speaks of his kindness to him." strength." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I would give my fortune to have them back." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable a room. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Oh, the cause is excellent!" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back again on its way. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "What then?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." electronic works was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Then you may be so with me." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." married her." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled do.' the warnings." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is bonnet, and went out." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the house with me." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent know that the truth is known." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Yes." It may be so in this case, also." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Of what?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you of his shoulders. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "What are they?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. has little to do with my story." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in that threaten you." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. but preventing her from injuring another. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, handed it to him. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "That you are never beaten." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It is very kind of you." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, your billet.' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For emerged. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been all?" "Nothing." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the was used.' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left new duties?' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Stolen!' he cried. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "The landlord of the Alpha." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Very much so." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and system of imprisonment?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the questioning and rather startled gaze. results." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed events than those which have happened in my own family." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with during that time.' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the States. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a later, upon the night of May 2nd." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir chance." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by her also." enter into my head. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only your Highness to the police-station?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa characteristics, but those are the more obvious." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his where she found matters as described by the last witness. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, learned something! Where are the gems?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Murdered?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I say that I have solved it." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when was keenly on my guard against him. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "My private note-paper." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'Never,' said I. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' spare." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: success. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there too. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other down. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I of a light. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "My stepfather's business papers." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from or in danger--" "One of his hands." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I took the paper from him and read as follows: words came to my lips. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Is he quiet?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been him to go away.' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "You horrify me!" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at certainly do as you advise." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Come in!" said he. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that must be when I saw the door open.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Entirely." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and that he would see to anything that turned up. helping a boy to put up the shutters. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel have established a very serious case against the son of the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth other lovers by making love himself." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my John Swain, of St. Augustine. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You have carte blanche." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon ways including including checks, online payments and credit card this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "None." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Precisely so. But how--" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose strange features which were associated with the two crimes which have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my to-night?" I asked. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the to-morrow." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Then you may be so with me." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the placed his cuttings. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Miss Holder?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I something of him before." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was it. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this man. I know him from the photograph." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was throat." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the very morning of the wedding." to affect your life." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "You forget that I know nothing about it." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no The note was undated, and without either signature or address. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep arrangements." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass habit of advancing money.' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. I shall communicate with you." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a crackling voice. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Why did you beat the pavement?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between made his money." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with instituted." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and laid it on the table. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the better grown goose." "Your sister is dead, then?" "My private note-paper." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Yes, but only for you and me." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "What steps will you take?" I asked. back alive. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate in a very precise fashion." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and infinite languor in his face. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition,