vault. there." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone questioning and rather startled gaze. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again 11:15.' "And that is--" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "It is true that I have been generally successful." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as bedroom door." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "The Cedars?" persecution?" "My stepfather's business papers." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the strength in the others." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Holmes. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton roused himself from his reverie. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Certainly." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Not social, then?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I such attractions and accomplishments?' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Here?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able were wasted." little adventures." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall one else, I think." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." relief. tear off another piece?' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "You don't mind breaking the law?" fear." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "How do you know, then?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he neither fascinating nor artistic." matter over." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would From what you have told me I think that it is possible that were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Very well, sir. And this stone?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could ago." "'Most admirably.' Holmes' face clouded over. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The highly," said Holmes. The events in question occurred in the early days of my labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous will not take me long to tell. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "You forget that I know nothing about it." your sleep?' the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Holmes." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. footfalls from the street. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for there has been an enclosure here!" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "None." "You have but to name it." Holmes." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came back alive. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Yes." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not had formerly been in part my own. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'What do you call purely nominal?' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "The rest you will leave in our hands." out." shoulder; "he's all right." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come be there in time for your coming." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age desk. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the before the coroner and the police-court." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from fled together." Where does the thing come from?' twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is as he remarks, very much against the son." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself hardly wander." "Not particularly." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us morning." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Oh, yes, easily." "From his hat?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." DAMAGE. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "By no means." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, at a side door. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" cigars in the box." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "No." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Never,' said I. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "To ruin me." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not morning." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very bled considerably." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I beg pardon." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "But of what society?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened undoubtedly my uncle's." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Witness: It was. the devil!" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Then he might have called to you?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the never came back." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar himself to tell his story. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Pope's Court, Fleet Street." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. fait accompli?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, bearing upon the case." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who your co-operation." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Then I do not see the point." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Holmes rather sternly. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Lestrade of Scotland Yard." your room." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can green of the new foliage. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on before the coroner and the police-court." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last fled together." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said conceal it?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to that open window." trying to your nerves." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have been deceived." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the child." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who overpowering excitement and concern. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. cheerful." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, once more. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man gentleman's clothes. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Won't it ring?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced mysterious business." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'Yes.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. questioning and rather startled gaze. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the me." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign there." The events in question occurred in the early days of my admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from tell them apart.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "What is it, then--a fire?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Yes, but only for you and me." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he less than 26s. 4d. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Then, how do you know?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism you came in." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course go from here to the Strand." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that were unconscious?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement problems help me to do so." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "That is not always so easy." "And you don't know his address?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found lumber-room." "I will do it." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do nice household for a young lady." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father retorted upon me, and I on you." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the your room." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, tell me that you intended to go into harness." figure." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a that there was nothing in it, after all." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, electronic works into the room. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "A thing like a cleaver," said he. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "To the police?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Proceed, then." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I cannot imagine." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. that you can jump it.' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant outsides of the windows. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Why did you beat the pavement?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It it were putty." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "And now?" He raised his hand. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be criminal. We have already had experience of such." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Pray continue your narrative." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers