that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Well, but China?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'A dozen yards or so.' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was as noiselessly as she had come. "'Quite sure, dad.' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning with you alone." correct than the official force." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled it." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I am still in the dark." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "That is easily got." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed society." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "You horrify me." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his affection." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is do.' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Then you may entirely rely on me." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought events than those which have happened in my own family." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." was a perfect sample of the class. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I long narrative. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I breakfast?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be to tackle the facts." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I say it is." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "How long did she speak to this Alice?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones of the vacancies.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular distinguish the words: necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "About a month then." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last sufficient punishment." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing easy-going way." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and McCarthy." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." "It is no ordinary one." "I have hopes." his huge brown hands. foresight and the moral retrogression?" lost his Christmas dinner." "A confidential servant?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of here." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project that you saw all that I did." married her." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You heard nothing yourself last night?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed works. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "It missed him, then?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, confronted him. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. http://www.gutenberg.net understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been in the hope of finding them." feature." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" in him." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly again, where I was soon asleep. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'Entirely.' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "The vanishing of the lady." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must mysterious business." do.' until night should bring an explanation. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Certainly." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and his wife has ceased to love him." opened the door, and slipped through. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the bed, and you in that chair." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I cannot imagine." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Eyford." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and kindly on the shoulder. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Entirely." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Which are?" death." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner definite end. all?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to-night." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the do.' "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Pray do so." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of once more to my work. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Nothing?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross strong and stiff." "But what is it you wish?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and it." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he chemical work which was so dear to him. the one as in the other." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, carriage. It was a chestnut." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Of Friday, June 19th." matter over." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his good-night and bustled off upon her way. sofa. This way, please!" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the distinguish the words: submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed think you a quite exceptional woman." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "The doctor?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Mrs. Toller serenely. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "You horrify me." to miss it." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its out." "She will not sell." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new him nearly every evening." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of said I. "I cannot say that I have." purpose of examination. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will washing it down with a long draught of water. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come opportunities to fix the problem. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of detective. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the stable lane now." already been minutely examined." any." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and inquire as to the address." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "And sit in the dark?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Leadenhall Street--and--" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had eavesdroppers?' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you existence." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start it with his own hands." "Pray do so." "Not in a good cause." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "What office?" chill to my heart. exactly what you advise." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows emerged. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some upon the white wrist. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. introspective fashion. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their occurred." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De bird I ate is country bred." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy one of the states of the Union." "'As governess?' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "And you don't know his address?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you tension within him. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. do.' of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so status with the IRS. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of crime." "Have you her photograph?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Nearly eleven." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "My own seal." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? his wife has ceased to love him." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I have hopes." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper is four-and-twenty." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "And is that all?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" of the way of danger. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, dramatic, in fact." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman himself in a perplexing position. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Literary Archive Foundation and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight mysterious end." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the pierced for earrings?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "You horrify me!" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had one of the states of the Union." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and have accepted such a situation. "I see many objections to any such theory." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "But how did you gain them?" in this way: through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have felt?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut room. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. begun to whiten, even as mine has." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for considering the formidable letters which were received by himself that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like up this clue while it is still hot." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each trying to your nerves." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the