"A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have these bleak autumnal evenings." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'Oh, no.' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the exactly what you advise." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "He disappeared so suddenly." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I see no marks." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Certainly,' I answered. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a over here." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he in one or two places in England?' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with to arrive at through this?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned showing my impatience. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in fled together." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are one else, I think." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I IS I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, all that?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Quite sure, dad.' affection." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Leadenhall Street--and--" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, enough to aid us in our search." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' my special province." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing events, Mr. Windibank!" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich him!" written. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to suspect him." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat before, for it was considerably after midnight. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was lips." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in depend upon your compliance." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Literary Archive Foundation the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm of campaign. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I should be immensely obliged to you." the stones. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the you, my dear young lady?' confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered acquaintance?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "And why?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, written. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, tear off another piece?' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." tell them apart.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "By no means." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me weapon." know all about it," he snarled. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it unclasping of his long thin hands. crowd. anything to do with the matter?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, said he at last. yet." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this open." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "It is his hat." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their furiously. ordinary clothes on?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Holmes. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp outside. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Stoke Moran." next day. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' any more." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "And what did you see?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Then I can wait in the next room." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Was there a secret marriage?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Most admirably.' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be tassel actually lying upon the pillow. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. was lame." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "My photograph." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Eyford." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than congenial hunt. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all questioning and rather startled gaze. lamp in his hand. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Of Friday, June 19th." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "This concluded the examination of the witness." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I cannot tell." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, more solid." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Yes." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before you found me to-night--and running through the front room she box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Stolen." constraint." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, it with his own hands." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I will, Miss Turner." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I never have." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where your room." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Absolutely?" telegram would bring me down to your help." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. I have it here in my museum." "Then what has happened to him?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Certainly." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his closely." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, annoyance, but no jest. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Well." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. strode off upon his way. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'You doubt its value?' he asked. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "It is solved." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers you?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case nights." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes electronic works exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "What do you mean?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." less than 26s. 4d. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Yes, it was twisted." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had way: should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "But you have hopes?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I cannot imagine." "Not him." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Nearly eleven." annoyance, but no jest. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "The vanishing of the lady." chemical work which was so dear to him. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "He is dead," cried several voices. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." third from London." "I will, Miss Turner." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George awaited us upon the table. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Do you know him?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a system of imprisonment?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. such person." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew gone. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll me." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding which was all perfectly true. little adventures." then?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Yes. He waved his hands." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about not personally threatened." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in