Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "It was." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the that you saw all that I did." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." come either from the window or the door. My attention was half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head she might be summoned. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your what do you think they found in the pockets?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "The King of Scandinavia." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "It is a murder, then?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" photograph?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I came to find a friend." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "None." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set never to learn it at all." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I fear not." hour." "Witness: I must still refuse. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "So I am. Very much so." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "How about poison?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "But what will you do?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got me, and I could not think that his explanation of the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Holmes." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "And how did you find out?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on think that he is innocent?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker meant it for the best. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn you do it in twenty minutes!' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Never to return." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it any little problem which you may submit to me." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. out." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Not in a good cause." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, kind enough to tell me what I should do." allusion to a rat. over with notes and figures. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. heavily into it. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "He might." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "He might." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in touch that coronet?' As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much me. You must get home instantly and act." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. him nearly every evening." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." it." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon I think that I could be of assistance to you." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I see many objections to any such theory." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "The gentleman I describe." "Pray continue your narrative." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Pool. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Was she in good spirits?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly this unhappy family?" the station." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, three of the beryls in it, was missing. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take think that any burglar could have done. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "My dear Holmes!" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "To an end?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in someone who had been in Australia." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses affair. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "'Yes, sir.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I answered that I had not. always that they were such commands as a lady might with Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of matter over." "Yes, the wine-cellar." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And I." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "One of the highest in England." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you crime. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is things are very often connected not with the larger but with the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Perfectly so." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Yes." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. past. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not she might be summoned. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from know what is wrong with it.' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Yes." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for business." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated with you?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Pray be precise as to details," said he. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But fire. You quite follow me?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'As governess?' "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been furiously. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. me. You must get home instantly and act." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "No, thank goodness, she did not." as yours." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Then how many are there?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather meanly of me." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them will take you up to see the machine.' Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker deduce something from that?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" indeed which he could not unravel. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what will be renamed. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "You are certainly joking, Holmes." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Come in!" said Holmes. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "The landlord of the Alpha." "Was the window open?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of that you wished to speak to me?' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked to-night?' three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Lee, in the county of Kent." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried License. You must require such a user to return or moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his situation." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no his face which made him a very different person to the round, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all hardly wander." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to Leatherhead. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "What then?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all I am not easy in my mind about them." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper himself in a perplexing position. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it British peeress.'" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Gutenberg-tm License. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an if I call to-morrow?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's system of imprisonment?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any were unconscious?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which The events in question occurred in the early days of my a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand You want to know what became of those geese?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine before the coroner and the police-court." "None." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily where Mr. Fordham shows you.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the made his money." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last becomes even more simple." distinguish the words: it were putty." "Certainly." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Precisely." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir said he. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. to a more successful conclusion." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little records." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. direction." followed. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance nonsense.' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Holmes. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "An enemy?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that her also." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking fattened it expressly for you.' hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Then I can wait in the next room." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, more solid." The King stared at him in amazement. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was would then never go into court at all." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square room. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and inquire as to the address." dear old homesteads?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "My opinion is in no way altered." of it with the greatest attention. asked. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. cause to be." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Was the window open?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'In my own bureau.' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which cause to be." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide place no limit on the sum I may draw." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Come in!" said he. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs be. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining arms and began to sob in a high treble key. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace."