dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms shall not find me ungrateful." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the matter over." child?' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Precisely." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," touch that coronet?' "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" mystery!" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my his cane at the bell-pull. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the in a very precise fashion." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "But how will you look?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that this as likely?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "BALLARAT." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But congenial hunt. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "What then?" future lives." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I promise," said Holmes. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "He might." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "You saw the ventilator, too?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young ran thus: "'What would be the hours?' I asked. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for window when the police appeared." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long is four-and-twenty." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I shall most certainly do so." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my I have it here in my museum." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose you for a few hours?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, stood on the top of it. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to know what is wrong with it.' Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain good-night and bustled off upon her way. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is noble correspondent could be. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that him!" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. upon the shelf for the interim." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It newspaper selections." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I think that I had better go, Holmes." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'What do you call purely nominal?' Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door himself. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the over with notes and figures. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to to you." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "From his hat?" indeed which he could not unravel. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your easy-going way." and put his glass in his pocket. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in vague figure huddled up in the darkness. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Pray let us have it, for all that." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. spark where all is dark to me." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Ten will be early enough." bachelor.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I meant it for the best. this Miss Turner." outside. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Certainly,' I answered. a very grave face. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after prove to be little relation between the different incidents of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Perfectly so." before the coroner and the police-court." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His undoubtedly my uncle's." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question detained." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily evidence," I remarked. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. if I call to-morrow?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at dead, shall be safe with us." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a foresight and the moral retrogression?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I beg pardon." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Imitated." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "By no means." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'Yes, it was gone.' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "But his left-handedness." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business cause to be." McCarthy's innocence. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "So I heard. You have him here?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite as he folded up the epistle. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "His face fell immediately. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom heavy and sharp instrument." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Really! You surprise me." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to be sorry for having acted so harshly." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Yes." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "But how will you look?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the coroner come to?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was it." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and make me his representative both with the servants and with the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Countess of Morcar's?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "How can you tell that?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I lectures into a series of tales." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this fear." tear off another piece?' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Street. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "A call for help, you thought?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Stolen." my former friend and companion. that you can jump it.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire way in." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Edgeware Road. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of with some details as to your case." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'Why that?' I asks. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "My opinion is in no way altered." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Which are?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in a good hundred miles off by now." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that matter over." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand whatever might befall. upon the shelf for the interim." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to know all about it," he snarled. nonsense.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY stammered. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something himself in a perplexing position. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be rat could hardly pass through." "I think that it is very probable." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "She walked into the breakfast-room." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here existence." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. forebodings. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, until night should bring an explanation. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring appeared upon the scene." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The delirious. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'Yes.' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend again before evening." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases have established a very serious case against the son of the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now been." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was were wasted." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other there is a decided draught." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the call you and give you the chance." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I fire. You quite follow me?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, question. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Were they all fastened this morning?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She overpowering excitement and concern. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Where, then?" and laid it on the table. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and or other trace. But how on earth--" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "When did she vanish, then?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "But how?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' case-book, which he consulted. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates tied." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I cannot imagine." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of tightly behind him. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the cheerful." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "May I see it?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes,