"You think so, too?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been had died away into the silence from which it rose. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Indeed! Whose, then?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and looked back. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Pray do so." "How do you know, then?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." salesman. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together be.' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried your billet.' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the King without delay." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the general public were present, then?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' if I call to-morrow?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and hand, madam?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "And why?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up there has been an enclosure here!" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Was she in good spirits?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I am all attention, madam." look dissatisfied." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the you?' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done hour." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "No good news?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "No legal papers or certificates?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. beg that you will break it off." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my strange features which were associated with the two crimes which we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I that he has suffered." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be important." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It be there in time for your coming." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Because he was handy and would come cheap." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "How can you tell that?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, memory. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very directors, with the result that you have seen." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect your room." presented more singular features than that which was associated "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, a suggestive one." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys too. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. outside. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I detained." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your cheerful." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'Where to?' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I sit on the left-hand side of the driver." which we had just quitted. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied long narrative. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in weapon." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my case before our client came into the room." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than companion quietly. friends, not even his own brother. "I will not look." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the fuss that is made over them." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to his grey eyes. unprofitable." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked photograph?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Countess of Morcar's?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "It must be recovered." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Witness: I must still refuse. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias my special province." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Why? What do you mean?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a to surprise her." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Ample." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of was already answered. disappearance of these gems?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. existence." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were few hundred pounds.' "What, then?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out a good hundred miles off by now." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "The gentleman I describe." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" I shall communicate with you." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Stolen, then." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Again Holmes raved in the air. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" upon the shelf for the interim." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. towards the blaze. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when at my own good fortune. here." both be extremely obliged.' gentleman's clothes. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it in this note: "I would give my fortune to have them back." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I During two years I have had three consultations and one small list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "What! Had he lost his wife?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I help us in this matter." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. 11:15.' "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the devil!" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was quick march!" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Who by?" "How did you deduce the select?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned photograph?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my even of instruction." "None." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I see many objections to any such theory." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, arrangements." "So it appears." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Arthur Conan Doyle my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me straighten it?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her was keenly on my guard against him. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." hereditary King of Bohemia." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for threw himself down with his face to the pillow. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous third from London." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent will take you up to see the machine.' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "None." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang brain must have something in it." the devil!" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on depend upon your compliance." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "And now?" He raised his hand. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "The gentleman I describe." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'You cannot say what it was?' the loss of it. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" upon the white wrist. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook had no one to advise her at such a crisis." quickly through a disagreeable task. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the child." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the it were putty." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "That was it, sir." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The newspaper selections." "Yes, it would be as well." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is which are rolled in Rotterdam." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Then I do not see the point." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her have an American origin." pound a week." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "And what did you learn from him?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than is now desirous of getting those letters back." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to I approached. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'What are you doing there?' he asked. already referred to. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "But I am all in the dark." must be when I saw the door open.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A of note-paper. It read in this fashion: pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Why, what do you mean?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. less than 26s. 4d. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly is a common subject for conversation. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with to tackle the facts." in the port of London." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the date of his supposed suicide." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Yes." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "The doctor?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "How do you know, then?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Very murderous indeed." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Mary, has deserted me." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to heavy and sharp instrument." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "And I say east," said my patient. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then it right.' o'clock is it?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in