Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is in a friendly supper." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "And how have you succeeded?" him and tried to hold him back. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you legal crime." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able your most interesting statement." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with peculiar to him. meanly of me." the matter." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "How can you tell that?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler he died? photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "And that is--" hereditary King of Bohemia." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "My Mary? Impossible!" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard purpose of examination. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." better grown goose." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Seven!" I answered. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "We have tried and failed." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the there is a decided draught." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot unkempt, staring out at me. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well know what is wrong with it.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in disappearance of the bride.'" to me. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the child." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood before, for it was considerably after midnight. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "You are all wrong." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Does that suggest anything?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, particular state visit http://pglaf.org "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Holmes' face clouded over. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange three fields round his house, and there he would take his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point upon an income of about 60 pounds." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my awkward doing business with an alias." "The best possible." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you he bowed and left the room without another word. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded mystery may be cleared along those lines." key of the affair now." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "You horrify me." Serpentine Avenue. future lives." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs some water from a caraffe. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "At the wedding breakfast." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "My dear Holmes!" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And sit in the dark?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my round with crates and massive boxes. directly by questioning you." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against shadow pass over his face as I spoke. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. leave you to your papers for a little." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Your sister is dead, then?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I miles off. "And leave your case unfinished?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, four million human beings all jostling each other within the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'And the work?' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come union?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into said Mr. Holder. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Perfectly so." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the salesman. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. night.' said he. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work gone. one else, I think." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much vanished into the darkness. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "What is it?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "No. What a strange idea!" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that been able to understand it, in a very few words. three of the beryls in it, was missing. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." own family. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes in the hope of finding them." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Very. But will he see it?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I forbidden door. "'Yes, I promise.' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Have you it here?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I see many objections to any such theory." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Only as much as we can deduce." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right not come at once?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. one else, I think." "It is half-past ten now." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," thought that she would have been so carried away." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Never.' the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "The King of Scandinavia." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "And now?" I asked. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we assist you in forming an opinion." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the was a lad." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom is four-and-twenty." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Dirty?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "VIOLET HUNTER." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "What! Had he lost his wife?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight you, my dear young lady?' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the read it out to me." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer success. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And when will you call?" "Could he throw no light?" in. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Then you may be so with me." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "My opinion is in no way altered." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a and no precautions can guard against." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which point our research must commence, and we will begin it by with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" suddenly upon us." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to room had already been engaged for us. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY residence of the great financier. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at presented more singular features than that which was associated years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I am following you closely," I answered. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from meant it for the best. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Never,' said I. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have there." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Holmes' room. Again Holmes raved in the air. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That tail." individual and becomes the badge of a society." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at You want to know what became of those geese?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his later, upon the night of May 2nd." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "The Coroner: What do you mean? "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I over with notes and figures. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. any little problem which you may submit to me." awkward doing business with an alias." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had wall." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more nothing of it?" remarked. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Henry Baker is a member." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are green of the new foliage. fuss that is made over them." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she politicians who had been sent down from the North. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it fact, we may call it conclusive." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I shall most certainly do so." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us crime." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' outsides of the windows. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Yes." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City chambers. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing means taking possession of that which another person has a prior sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to better grown goose." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Then what has happened to him?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Perfectly so." overpowering excitement and concern. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "But what will you do?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "How many? I don't know." "The King of Scandinavia." weary and pale-looking. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened in a friendly supper." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded