"At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'I am sure that I do not know.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Well, it is a possible supposition." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send front of me. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and fled together." both be extremely obliged.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in it means?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Won't it ring?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "You know me, then?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments mysterious business." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, gigantic client. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to Leatherhead. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a astonishment. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the already referred to. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax You want to know what became of those geese?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil third from London." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your disappearance of the bride.'" and that he would see to anything that turned up. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Well, but China?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "But who is he?" "Which are?" into the room. papers diligently of late, have you not?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "How do you know, then?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "But how?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of during that time.' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the do you make of it all?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No could gather together that I was able to avert another public at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a or in danger--" papers on the sundial.'" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one you for a few hours?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "That is it on the dressing-table." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Do you know him?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. later, upon the night of May 2nd." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. gone. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we charged with?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. not personally threatened." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "And how did you find out?" eat it." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "But I am all in the dark." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Sholtos." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and the colonel ushered me in. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, I was concerned in it." "By all means." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is to affect your life." to surprise her." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, telegram would bring me down to your help." approach us with offers to donate. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger gives a meaning to it." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes once more to my work. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little salesman. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I will do it." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. your room." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he electronic works ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until evidence," I remarked. Chief Executive and Director "Yes." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into which I could not give. He asked for Alice. row." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Yes, sir.' "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray to arrive at through this?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of with you?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business both be extremely obliged.' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. 'please.'" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers sake, don't!" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "And I say east," said my patient. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "A call for help, you thought?" I was concerned in it." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder you." and inquire as to the address." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the villagers almost as much as their master. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "At the wedding breakfast." the very morning of the wedding." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent showing my impatience. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which crackling voice. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out relief. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "You have it, sir, just as it happened." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Mary, has deserted me." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he already referred to. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I should like to see him very much." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "No, finished." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "You have but to name it." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "But you can know nothing of this?" "It looks newer than the other things?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Then I can wait in the next room." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "On Monday." "You have carte blanche." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her is so. I know all about McCarthy." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room hair?' hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'I have heard so.' experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and danger is over." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything me. You must get home instantly and act." "You horrify me." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "At the wedding breakfast." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was side. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a mystery!" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and this Miss Turner." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I will not look." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of weapon." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked upon the sideboard." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. his face which made him a very different person to the round, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from back to my heart. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very hard-headed British jury." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the go from here to the Strand." "None." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my wanted for ourselves." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at of campaign. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as hereditary King of Bohemia." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you chill to my heart. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing him and tried to hold him back. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the interested in these little problems, and since you are good and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Holmes' thin, eager face. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave recall any case within my experience which looked at the first of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And Miss Sutherland?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Perhaps I have." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong companion imperturbably. exactly what you advise." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a yet." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Here?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Frequently." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers until night should bring an explanation. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "But I have heard all that you have heard." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yes." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too breakfast?" ashen face. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Count Von Kramm." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at had formerly been in part my own. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the next day. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do not within a twentieth part of the market price." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a begun to whiten, even as mine has." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I cannot imagine." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of had a long day." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out she might be summoned. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to discontent upon his features. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together was already answered.