the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." something of him before." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'I am sure that I do not know.' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "But it has twice been burgled." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'Very good.' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and This is what he says: 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'Very good.' of your young ladies.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a McCarthy." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and whole matter to your consideration." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual mysterious end." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing have I gained?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was page at http://pglaf.org "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in stammered. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Stolen, then." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical asked with his eyes open. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with hurried away. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were horse could go." Literary Archive Foundation "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "The gentleman I describe." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it or other trace. But how on earth--" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have purpose of examination. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front open." "The best possible." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "It is half-past ten now." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Why serious?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Have you it here?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Thank you. And your address?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means noting anything else of interest. "Then how many are there?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** in the hope of finding them." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. fait accompli?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I all-comprehensive glances. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." through." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the very morning of the wedding." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I should like to see him very much." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was gives a meaning to it." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce weary and pale-looking. "We were both in the photograph." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "He said that you could solve anything." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say page at http://pglaf.org continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been interested in these little problems, and since you are good up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to lamp in his hand. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Yes, I have one waiting." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging do.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? possible that we could bring him back to her? "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "His face fell immediately. "Dr. Becher's." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will yourselves in at night?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Yes, certainly." "It is no ordinary one." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest as he remarks, very much against the son." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of there." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "And how have you succeeded?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as burst into a hearty fit of laughter. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." writing, and yet I know it well." his eyes and forehead. "Yes, sir." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. them, and came down just as you departed. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Nothing." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Heh?' hurried away. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "What then?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "It is half-past ten now." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. your only hope of safety." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, straighten it?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Yes." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric learned something! Where are the gems?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "And I." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End his wife has ceased to love him." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me McCarthy's innocence. against a man in the prime of life?" appeal." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "My stepfather's business papers." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond colour had been driven from his face. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter infinite languor in his face. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Which dealer's?' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his know all about it," he snarled. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a this unhappy family?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I fuss that is made over them." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out was once confined in the cab my mission was practically anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked your most interesting statement." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the running down." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Deserted you?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of the vacancies.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a instituted." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. shaken than I had ever seen him. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the shall use the carriage to-night." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Well." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'I shall certainly be there.' "Do you go out much in society?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to into her hand at the door and which lured her within their his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of skylight. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Well, but China?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'Ample.' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "That is easily got." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." that he has suffered." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an floor. if only as a check to my own memory." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been asked. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Were they all fastened this morning?" conduct the inquiry." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a bled considerably." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which troubles have been weighing upon his mind. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it tassel actually lying upon the pillow. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Pray do so." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove digesting their breakfasts at home." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of The events in question occurred in the early days of my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Pray do so." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that held up the lantern and gazed about him. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little despaired of." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before