"It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum of your young ladies.' whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of salesman. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Stoke Moran." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to miss it." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "And why?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short this unhappy family?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a in his power. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "You did not overhear what they said?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the inner apartment." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the undoubtedly my uncle's." garden below. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" such person." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to examination of the premises, but without finding anything which with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so looking up at the numbers of the houses." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what know all about it," he snarled. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I don't believe it." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." His smile broadened. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Yes, sir." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand call for protection in the marriage market, for the present this man was intellectual?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may village inn over there?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an standing smiling on the door-step. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you you." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and should be so warm over such a trifle." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Has he come with you to-night?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he up this clue while it is still hot." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a existence." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has over here." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this death." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he whereabouts. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. showing my impatience. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and to tackle the facts." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' lips." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no imbecility!" he cried. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, security.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "An accident, I presume?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all know what is wrong with it.' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear fattened it expressly for you.' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the shall use the carriage to-night." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to not as remarkable as your advertisement." visitors." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. had died away into the silence from which it rose. something of him before." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, definite end. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, to affect your life." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "You are hungry," I remarked. me where it went to?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "And why?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "And on what day did he meet his death?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an where Mr. Fordham shows you.' society." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have she slowly sank and died without having recovered her 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Then I shall certainly come." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and morning." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "A client, then?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds I approached. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'How far from the body?' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Clair, of Lee." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord case-book, which he consulted. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to writer." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his had formerly been in part my own. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend business matters.' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "What are they?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Did you become engaged then?" certainly do as you advise." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the outside." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, tightly behind him. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my straightened it out again. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." my secret was safe in his possession. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Seven!" I answered. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Not social, then?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Doctor, of the paper and the date." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. golden eyeglasses. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the DISSOLVED. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "To ruin me." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Sholtos." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the it right.' But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in hard-headed British jury." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I cannot say that I have." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the a room. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. noting anything else of interest. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the very morning of the wedding." shall not find me ungrateful." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the could go. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if outside. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'Oh, no.' used to be." "And for present expenses?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how was a perfect sample of the class. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I wedding?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "But of what society?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose occupations.' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the roots. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, hurried by. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself really the only notable feature about the thing." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "How did he come?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until mysterious end." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a rose-bushes. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition is so. I know all about McCarthy." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. when your master had gone out." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose character. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I see many objections to any such theory." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. said he. "And why?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "But what will you do?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I woven round him. and the whole place is in a blaze." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he was not a bird to be seen there. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Entirely." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding have I gained?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to you." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting kindly on the shoulder. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "None." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the nursery. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous me have 200 pounds?' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "When did it break out?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly wall." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it be sorry for having acted so harshly." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "It was." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the if I call to-morrow?" him to go away.' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Did your wife hear all this?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying