myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen cup of tea. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help completely overtopped every other consideration that we both stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Very much so." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant should be taken.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door His smile broadened. hour?' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and least a fellow-countryman. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "By train from Waterloo." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect you understand?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. digesting their breakfasts at home." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old It was close upon four before the door opened, and a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these look dissatisfied." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in You can understand that this register and diary may implicate enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a locked. light and attacked it." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "It is no ordinary one." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch that the gas is not laid on in his house?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated brain must have something in it." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "She walked into the breakfast-room." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at his cane at the bell-pull. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a in the hope of finding them." colonel looking down at me. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a to tell." and capable of preserving a secret.' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "And help." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Well, some hundreds of times." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." security.' said I. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. drawing your inferences." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present gone before you can get him to hospital." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "It missed him, then?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "What, then, did Peterson do?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "But his left-handedness." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "She showed me, as I told you she would." will he say when he returns?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I upon the shelf for the interim." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my wedding?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable IS steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "It missed him, then?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'Never.' whole matter to your consideration." and looked back. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "What, then, did Peterson do?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is paper in the air. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Has he come with you to-night?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Dr. Gregory B. Newby hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for maiden herself was most instructive." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" case before our client came into the room." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. client, rising. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Not social, then?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "He is dead," cried several voices. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these whether it answered to the description of any of their perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned conduct the inquiry." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have it? Did I buy the geese off you?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and place of silver." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the families. Now for the facts. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." paper in the air. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." respectable self." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "You think so, too?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open them present such singular features as the strange train of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the is now desirous of getting those letters back." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The little adventures." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "It is half-past ten now." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now sofa. This way, please!" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Yes." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an quite distinctive." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Yes, I have one waiting." the best of training." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "But his left-handedness." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in populous neighbourhood." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of wanted for ourselves." coat-tails." "Yes, only one." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough you?' should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" in his hands." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "One of the highest in England." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or http://www.gutenberg.net like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and carpenter." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was might help us?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a daring than any effort of the imagination." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Nothing." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we served to weaken the effect. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up American. Then who could this American be, and why should he bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my there." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately at once, for I have only half an hour." to that open window." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even there in twenty minutes." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His vanished into the darkness. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "It was." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the bottom.' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "And what then?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed hour." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Again Holmes raved in the air. "Who was the criminal, then?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook better in every way that they should make their position a little "Quite so." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of 1.F. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause secret." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but seven miles from Eyford Station.' "It was an hour's good drive." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would recall any case within my experience which looked at the first recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no joking. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four one of the states of the Union." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and bell. Holmes whistled. Lee, in the county of Kent." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'It is locked up,' I answered. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "And I to find an enemy." not as remarkable as your advertisement." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the ceremony." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my I am not easy in my mind about them." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight existence." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "You have the photograph?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "My Mary? Impossible!" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very seen the man in the road." man. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring mystery." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." tell me that you intended to go into harness." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I was certainly surprised to find you there." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the dangers which encompass me." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." politicians who had been sent down from the North. washing it down with a long draught of water. "If so, much may have happened between." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I will try. What is it?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of your own bird, so if you wish--" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "He slept on the premises." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Quite so. She has her freedom." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the address that was given us in the advertisement. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Lee, in the county of Kent." which our visitor detailed to us. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "How is that?" I asked when I had finished.