good-night and bustled off upon her way. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the window, rose as we entered. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the my former friend and companion. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project any." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at tell him that I know him to be innocent." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" learned something! Where are the gems?" already been minutely examined." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face shag which I had seen upon the previous night. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge written. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and strong and stiff." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this of Fenchurch Street." DAMAGE. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he coroner's jury." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I don't believe it." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still so far?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If said he. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "But how?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Holmes rather sternly. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it question you as to those details which seem to me to be most wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I woman." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I never came back." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to as this. Pray let me have the details." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Where, indeed?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose like that before?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "How did you deduce the select?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; his eyes and forehead. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I don't believe it." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, interested in these little problems, and since you are good zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be situation." "I answered that I had not. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "You think so, too?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I have come for advice." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "But I am all in the dark." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which was lame." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the I approached. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Yes, at the mines." fattened it expressly for you.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: that you can jump it.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. she might be summoned. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at carpenter." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard a few minutes he said that it would be all right. matters immensely." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I was afraid that you were engaged." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he beg that you will break it off." his grey eyes. him, that man would not have given me such complete information why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Eh? What was that?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "You are all wrong." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. keep the flames under. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let ventilator." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the returned to France?" straightened it out again. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no British peeress.'" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate tail." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and have got?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back a good hundred miles off by now." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from think that he is innocent?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we awkward doing business with an alias." "Did you become engaged then?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "But he might be a bachelor." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship more terrible than the truth. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we done what I asked you, Jones?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" examine." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." corner of the building. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her words came to my lips. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would chance at all." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his heavily into it. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the words came to my lips. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of suspect him." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "By no means." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a friend's singular character. maid will bring up your coffee." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into as noiselessly as she had come. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "At half-wages, in fact." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Yes." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." character. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the date of his supposed suicide." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at acquaintance?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, was shining brightly. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" fat-encircled eyes. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." depend upon your compliance." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed not, dad?" she asked. "I am armed." "If so, much may have happened between." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress in. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "My opinion is in no way altered." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The in him." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" recover the gem." Sholtos." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "But what harm can there be in that?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which to talk it over. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to round and wave him away like that.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "But not more so than I to find you." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it who was a member of your goose club." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, straightened it out again. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the room while you explain this matter?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence your room." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the allusion to a rat. attention." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you some mystery and the punishment of some crime." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but perplexity from it to my illustrious client. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where bearing upon the case." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and inquire as to the address." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "VIOLET HUNTER." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Upon what point?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I allusion to a rat. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "And your mother is alive?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough galvanised. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "No?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the companion. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the devil!" I took the paper from him and read as follows: demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' on re-entering her father's house?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I have come for advice." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Yes." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "It is very clear." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the so-precious time, but come!' that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no there has been an enclosure here!" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts.