"Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical over with notes and figures. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I cannot tell." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into laugh and put his lips to my ear. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Count Von Kramm." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that was shining brightly. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, standing smiling on the door-step. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you at my own good fortune. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "A client, then?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a morning." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, case-book, which he consulted. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "And when will you call?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of astonishment. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and within hail.' "I assure you that I am in your hands." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, bachelor.' "Is he quiet?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the coroner come to?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to these bleak autumnal evenings." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and the church but not where the lady lived." "You think that he is dead?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His power." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'Where to?' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "And sit in the dark?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "But what harm can there be in that?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself rat could hardly pass through." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham you in yours." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "He said that you could solve anything." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "But who is he?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A page at http://pglaf.org listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very exactly what you advise." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important business in the City. She little knew what. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Do you know him?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to off." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could present." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily outside." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a page at http://pglaf.org pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door became a certainty. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Yes." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Yes." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual cost them two and thirty pounds." away to you." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Stoke Moran." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white away in different directions, and I went off to make my own said Mr. Holder. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I will do it." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Yes, sir." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned shall use the carriage to-night." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and have this put in the evening papers." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my chamber." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to letters?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. I leave." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely read over the extraordinary announcement. "Yes, I have one waiting." that you saw all that I did." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this maiden herself was most instructive." "You think that he is dead?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Yes, sir.' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his himself to tell his story. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "But not more so than I to find you." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Not I." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Certainly." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "May I see it?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an main points of my analysis." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at roused himself from his reverie. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just call it cruel." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "My dear Holmes!" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the were unconscious?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but suspect him." security.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'Yes, sir.' hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped searched, without anything being found which could incriminate cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a on in his house." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime be.' abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "What!" he roared. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian and inquire as to the address." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "It is half-past ten now." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has lost his Christmas dinner." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter himself. him." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. voice, changing her seat as requested. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as must compliment you." as noiselessly as she had come. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "No, but the enclosure is." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so which I could not give. He asked for Alice. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Farm upon the left." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to this remarkable episode. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'I shall certainly be there.' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no room. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Holmes." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the bottom.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then test if we have an answer to our advertisement." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "To an English lawyer named Norton." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I tear off another piece?' learned something! Where are the gems?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was his fortune, and I went back to pa. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I think that I could be of assistance to you." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "No good news?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." records." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Then I shall certainly come." newspaper selections." "Not yet." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "He disappeared so suddenly." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and discontent upon his features. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly all that?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "The decline of his fortunes, then?" My friend smiled. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of it with the greatest attention. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had hurried away. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the could not have written that. It is the German who is so my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes which are rolled in Rotterdam." McCarthy." "And I say east," said my patient. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, dates and names. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You think so, too?" "I shall most certainly do so." "And how did he make his money?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's lips." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "On the contrary, this is the right side." "May I see it?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged with her." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. friend's singular character. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." fashion which was peculiar to him. "By no means." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass disturbance in my wife." "'Which dealer's?' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Was she in good spirits?" "I am about to be married." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Why? What do you mean?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'About the same.' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I say that I have solved it." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Why did you beat the pavement?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Yes." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement in the dead of the night?' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should coat-tails." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "What then?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to have that photograph." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean society." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "We were both in the photograph." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "And how did you verify them?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, weary and pale-looking. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the warnings."