manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long breakfast." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said certainly not very gracious." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the house with me." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman once more for Briony Lodge. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and opened the door, and slipped through. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his retorted upon me, and I on you." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "An accident, I presume?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been I approached. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint round with crates and massive boxes. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the that threaten you." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we flock.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. an introduction to him?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Yes." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at chambers. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could house for five minutes.' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little allusion to a rat. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Foundation "It is his hat." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had drawing your inferences." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or had this final quarrel? explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a enough to aid us in our search." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such over with notes and figures. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. have been better. It is all right." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage appeared upon the scene." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I have it here in my museum." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable me, and I could not think that his explanation of the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "A call for help, you thought?" definite end. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during stood on the top of it. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he as this. Pray let me have the details." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. it." "I was sure that I might rely on you." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the to tackle the facts." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised bedroom door." populous neighbourhood." "You horrify me." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Pray be precise as to details," said he. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for be. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "My own seal." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "It certainly sounds feasible." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "It came here." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "This photograph!" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'What do you call purely nominal?' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Stolen, then." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, himself. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Is he quiet?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. yards of it?' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Pray let us have it, for all that." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. waste of energy." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, detective. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the inquest, and which are worth considering." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Not him." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "How can you tell that?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and later, upon the night of May 2nd." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. stalked out of the room. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "What do you make of that, Watson?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with me. You must get home instantly and act." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Yes." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I invisible to me," I remarked. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "She told me to ask you." "You think so, too?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "She will not sell." "Not particularly." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the seem to you to be relevant or not." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as might help us?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If matter over." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "We were both in the photograph." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your late!' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. hurried by. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my this man was intellectual?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "And I say east," said my patient. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and your relations to her." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing help us in this matter." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose acted in my house last night?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of writers could invent nothing more crude." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about secret." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is most interesting one." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Again Holmes raved in the air. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'Yes, sir.' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could to miss it." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Very much so." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and I shall be with you presently." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I will try. What is it?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! answer." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His started for the Temple to see my husband. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I think that it is very probable." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than front of me. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was back into the street. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an him to go away.' against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about knowledge of the world." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and there was no need for father to know." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely in. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "It's nothing of the kind." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. door?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And it is--" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect License. You must require such a user to return or could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to to that open window." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was should be taken.' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary This is what he says: collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an place of silver." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be once more. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the like that before?" "I cannot imagine." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the that there was nothing in it, after all." carpenter." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net not, dad?" she asked. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled telegram would bring me down to your help." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face to miss it." national property. I was determined that the law should have its few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "The vanishing of the lady." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would detained." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Proceed, then." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small mysterious business." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you had died away into the silence from which it rose. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Oh, yes, easily." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Perfectly so." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist breakfast and whispered something to her husband. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had