door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able have one." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Then what has happened to him?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the what I may call a really hard day's work." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "My dear Holmes!" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Pray continue your narrative." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." gone. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is your Highness to the police-station?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Do you receive much company?" he asked. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with these bleak autumnal evenings." like that before?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of behind me. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and your most interesting statement." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at completely overtopped every other consideration that we both purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite it means?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed carriage. It was a chestnut." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door look upon these things in a different way." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune derbies." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It looks newer than the other things?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, posted to-day." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from get the tickets." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. showing my impatience. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again must be when I saw the door open.' was it brought him the coronet? clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and wait." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Absolutely?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Will you bet, then?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Watson," he said cordially. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Do you go out much in society?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his key turn in the lock." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I will not look." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" affair. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I promise," said Holmes. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, I have it here in my museum." "I do." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by are, I think, all that we need." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I wanted for ourselves." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length tail." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "And why?" quick march!" noble correspondent could be. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you you." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend papers on the sundial.'" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, any more." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his 1.E.9. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Yes, certainly." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been arrangements." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "How can you tell that?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens could go. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the Red-headed League." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so it right.' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that had this final quarrel? "Yes, only one." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and John Swain, of St. Augustine. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the there." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "He is still with you, I presume?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one in the hope of finding them." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once colonel looking down at me. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. said he at last. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "There is the writing." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both down from London to inquire more deeply into it." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Most admirably.' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I This is what he says: "But she will refuse." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his your billet.' "'I have already given you my word.' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into point our research must commence, and we will begin it by began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker if only as a check to my own memory." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Of what?" second." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, against a man in the prime of life?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not frequently gained my first real insight into the character of and wait." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Yes." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." matter over." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Yes." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "What have you to say now?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "What!" he roared. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss all that?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents you." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I hereditary King of Bohemia." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "He slept on the premises." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with made his money." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Not social, then?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a despaired of." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, at a side door. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Get out!" said he. whole matter to your consideration." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without prison!" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I go from here to the Strand." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Where does the thing come from?' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and danger is over." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic papers on the sundial.'" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark handed it to him. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Absolutely none." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "What shall I do?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from disappearance of these gems?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Pray do so." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative not, dad?" she asked. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "And the cigar-holder?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over despair." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the events than those which have happened in my own family." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." my room." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism what I may call a really hard day's work." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I will do it." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Yes." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished it." feature." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even respectable self." it means?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "What can it mean?" I gasped. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the examine." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he DISSOLVED. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to success. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Mrs. Toller serenely. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried.