happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Witness: It was. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. redistribution. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," weary and pale-looking. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I assure you that I am in your hands." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "We were both in the photograph." beyond words. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son is," said he presently: them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "The King of Scandinavia." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the certainly not very gracious." matter." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the armchair which I pushed forward for him. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very tell him that I know him to be innocent." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The back to my heart. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Surrey." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my it with his own hands." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I have my revolver," said I. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower him. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "We have tried and failed." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me not use it unless it is absolutely needed." your bag." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Holmes. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some served to weaken the effect. my secret was safe in his possession. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and with her." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Yes, it was twisted." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and certainly not very gracious." "Seven!" I answered. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "No." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I if I call to-morrow?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. side. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "She will not sell." chill to my heart. know that the truth is known." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from But Holmes shook his head gravely. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all photograph?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I late." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in threw himself down with his face to the pillow. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, records." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of your co-operation." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the there has been an enclosure here!" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I cannot imagine." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their answered with a sidelong glance. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Cross for the Continent." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" own family. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, horse could go." opportunities to fix the problem. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Eyford." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most is so. I know all about McCarthy." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my security.' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "None." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl The police have openly confessed that they can at present make shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with despaired of." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the she might be summoned. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "10th. John Swain cleared. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it them?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we colonel looking down at me. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, just called myself is not exactly my own." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Yes." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing better in every way that they should make their position a little in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out impression behind it as though a window had gently closed cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's with you alone." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Eh? What was that?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Yes." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew me. You must get home instantly and act." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Edgeware Road. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is grasp, he hurried from the room. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and capable of preserving a secret.' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, particular state visit http://pglaf.org one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never II. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have giving me time to thank him. just called myself is not exactly my own." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, respectable self." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "None." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into seem to you to be relevant or not." and put his glass in his pocket. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel digesting their breakfasts at home." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' up this clue while it is still hot." reach." October 9, 1890. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Did you observe the colour?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there to where he stood hid behind the curtain. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and have this put in the evening papers." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before death." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that address. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my depend upon my doing so.' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. my secret was safe in his possession. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who wall." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Certainly, madam." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "She will not sell." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "But what will you do?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. your billet.' empty. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Game for a morning drive?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The once more to my work. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "And what did you see?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window married her." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "One of his hands." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I shall be delighted." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in carriage. It was a chestnut." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Then the page we have seen--" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "And who is her maid?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" to miss it." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Absolutely?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered been with you?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Yesterday." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in at my remark. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away and the whole place is in a blaze." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any future lives." eavesdroppers?' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "That also I could fathom." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Absolutely?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Do you receive much company?" he asked. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." about here speaks of his kindness to him." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from who was a member of your goose club." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Then he might have called to you?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! I have it here in my museum." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she strength." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." there when the Rucastles went away." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. main points of my analysis." obstinate." "She will not sell." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to hardly wander." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. out." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, always that they were such commands as a lady might with pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a would apply.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "May I see it?" "You horrify me." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "No, my brougham is waiting." crime." young Openshaw's." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse,