bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "You have but to name it." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Yes." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than other, as fresh and trim as possible. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'I have heard so.' him and tried to hold him back. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If said he, "my real name is James Ryder." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "And the murderer?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Then he might have called to you?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "So I heard. You have him here?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. business." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Very truly yours, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "What! a murderous attack?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Thank you. And your address?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, foot. Henry Baker is a member." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "You have it, sir, just as it happened." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Texas, I think." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an writer." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with of the vacancies.' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Where is it, then?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Texas, I think." down. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "It is half-past ten now." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "No, thank goodness, she did not." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, particular state visit http://pglaf.org very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning him nearly every evening." for securing the situation." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "My dear Holmes!" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies fishes. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no whether it answered to the description of any of their look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the coroner come to?" "You have a clue?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable of his shoulders. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Quite sure, dad.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." nonsense.' means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after kindly on the shoulder. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered head. So long, then!" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps seen the man in the road." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could least a fellow-countryman. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "No, I am descending." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." hardly wander." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "He might." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the read it out to me." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such that there was nothing in it, after all." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either who was a member of your goose club." "Dr. Becher's." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after deduce something from that?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for way in everything. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another companion quietly. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I shall continue with my miserable story. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "From his hat?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea confronted him. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for there." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Murdered?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his him." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself taking in every detail of the apartment. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I will not look." "'Where could I find him?' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, your bag." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called public press." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his yet." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "One?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, to affect your life." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive shall not find me ungrateful." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. my secret was safe in his possession. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Yes." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily my former friend and companion. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed James Windibank. Voilà tout!" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so useful material for showing traces. The double line a little question you as to those details which seem to me to be most of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. man. "I was afraid that you were engaged." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point any." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the made him keep the appointment." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some existence." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the south-west, I see." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the present." "And from a noble client?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter with you alone." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an what I may call a really hard day's work." "He said that you could solve anything." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his not, dad?" she asked. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." it right.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Your sister is dead, then?" breakfast?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "How on earth--" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet arms and began to sob in a high treble key. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "What I expected to see." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he kindly on the shoulder. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special stalked out of the room. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "She will not sell." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must was a loud and authoritative tap. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "But how will you look?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous them?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. to tackle the facts." with the outside air!" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman The summons was a brief and urgent one. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." late." occurred." "'Never.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Tired-looking or fresh?" "No, my brougham is waiting." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'About the same.' eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the house with me." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to What do you deduce from it?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did of Fenchurch Street." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "In what way?" asked Holmes. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "A client, then?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Sholtos." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Yes. He waved his hands." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" go from here to the Strand." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was gone before you can get him to hospital." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very status with the IRS. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for maid will bring up your coffee." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "But his left-handedness." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand crime. over here." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with which I could not give. He asked for Alice. golden eyeglasses. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the villagers almost as much as their master. "The best possible." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in weapon."