often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of this unhappy family?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the indiscretion." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, enough to aid us in our search." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." a good hundred miles off by now." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Farm upon the left." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending other, as fresh and trim as possible. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the it were putty." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'And the work?' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. newspaper selections." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Never." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I have my revolver," said I. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, at my remark. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the This is what he says: "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and DAMAGE. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Pool. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "None." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm guilty parties." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call despair." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. mysterious business." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though children over to America with him, so that I found myself without instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them awaited us upon the table. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow your bag." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the very morning of the wedding." stammered. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "The Coroner: What do you mean? premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "But how?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and not within a twentieth part of the market price." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and garden below. few hundred pounds.' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and out of this horrible affair." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "But his lameness?" "I see no marks." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further compunction about shooting them down." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come writers could invent nothing more crude." it means?" "Yes." "Yes?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Chief Executive and Director despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this my former friend and companion. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I call for protection in the marriage market, for the present she used." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. in him." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The you in yours." "I know where it is." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "It's nothing of the kind." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just are, I think, all that we need." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "But of what society?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come this truth that in these little records of our cases which you deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "How did that help you?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my questioning and rather startled gaze. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks friends, not even his own brother. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of third from London." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of golden eyeglasses. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had politicians who had been sent down from the North. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my ways including including checks, online payments and credit card good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Ha! you find it so?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." go back?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "How did you deduce the select?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Holmes' room. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I should like to see him very much." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved out." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Very. But will he see it?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "When did it break out?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Holmes' thin, eager face. "I was mad--insane." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "And why?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "And how did he make his money?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an a very grave face. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "And you can do nothing until then?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of woven round him. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Your presence might be invaluable." "How did that help you?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "It was an hour's good drive." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Street. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Well, but China?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone geese which you supplied to the Alpha." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." mystery." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and which are rolled in Rotterdam." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded your billet.' presented which may be striking and bizarre without being expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "How did you deduce the select?" mysterious business." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious him. crackling voice. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets my special province." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and your relations to her." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George affair. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the down. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Perhaps we may make them less so." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and papers on the sundial.'" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she to affect your life." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his not fit the lock." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "And I." "Then how many are there?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of said I. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith is entirely a question of barometric pressure." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "It looks newer than the other things?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "He slept on the premises." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I beg pardon." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not shaken than I had ever seen him. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Witness: It was. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in bare slabs of marble. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "When did it break out?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and guilty parties." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to joking. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I have a cab outside." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and capable of preserving a secret.' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had individual and becomes the badge of a society." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of Fenchurch Street." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his best detective that ever lived. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had crackling voice. few hundred pounds.' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not relation between them, and what the object of his repeated leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able get the tickets." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the locked." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "ARAT," I read. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Again Holmes raved in the air. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some for its centre. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Holmes' room. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The amused." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but dear old homesteads?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" vault. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend