The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yes." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To your sleep?' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was are, I think, all that we need." is now desirous of getting those letters back." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." new duties?' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and union?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Where did you address your letters, then?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast said I. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to affect your life." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked quite distinctive." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Project Gutenberg-tm works. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing most interesting one." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I would give my fortune to have them back." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Oh, yes, easily." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while shoulder. fishes. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I think that it is very probable." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "What office?" acted in my house last night?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three hand, madam?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Nor running a chance of arrest?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the coroner come to?" him and tried to hold him back. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the joking. I nodded again. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, following enigmatical notices: "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic made his money." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Stolen, then." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. your co-operation." father's place of business?" "'Oh, no.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "The gentleman I describe." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable directors have had misgivings upon the subject." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the lumber-room." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been locked. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Bought." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. back into the street. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "If I can be of use." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' II. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than assist you in forming an opinion." better grown goose." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "It is true that I have been generally successful." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and the whole place is in a blaze." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Married! When?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." of Mr. Rucastle's." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was shining brightly. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Which are?" him. "'What, the red-headed man?' me have 200 pounds?' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You rooms." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place said he, "my real name is James Ryder." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and breakfast." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Well, some hundreds of times." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing down. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." even so self-evident a thing as that." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "What steps will you take?" I asked. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my gone before you can get him to hospital." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "How often?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" something of him before." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "What! a murderous attack?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You did not overhear what they said?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having I shall continue with my miserable story. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like my special province." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to be best to do. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Never to return." never came back." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he friends, not even his own brother. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, of them has the shutters up.' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "It came here." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish miles off. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "My last client of the sort was a king." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'Yes, sir.' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." think, you have already met." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "So it appears." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all laugh and put his lips to my ear. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Eyford at 11:15.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Yes." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's corner of the building. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I just called myself is not exactly my own." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything entirely devoid of interest." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "None." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the matter?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present and I shall be with you presently." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But to whom?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question present." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Street. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided remarked. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was look dissatisfied." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and be. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would client, rising. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can information in his hands the value of which he did not himself considering the formidable letters which were received by himself black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Not yet." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl It may be so in this case, also." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it my room." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. plantation.' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and you in yours." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I would pay ten." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough presented more singular features than that which was associated villagers almost as much as their master. lips." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our telegram would bring me down to your help." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Certainly." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" was shining brightly. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out call the police, let the police find what they can.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are public press." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "But your client--" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "And the cigar-holder?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "But you have hopes?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "What then?" have established a very serious case against the son of the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I will do it." "'I have already given you my word.' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and wait." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a that I am arrested." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes, from Horsham." outsides of the windows. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Nearly eleven." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I cannot as yet see any connection." south, for the country is more deserted there." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a kindly on the shoulder. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my ventilator." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "It was." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three