the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Why, it's a dummy," said he. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'And the work?' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he dates and names. matters immensely." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from British peeress.'" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Sholtos." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls some terrible trap for her." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the King without delay." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do chill to my heart. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. have got?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. in the port of London." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? trifles." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it nights." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "An accident, I presume?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Tired-looking or fresh?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward directly by questioning you." said I. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Yes." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Bought." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in this note: Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, strength in the others." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial business came to an end." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a fattened it expressly for you.' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in with the outside air!" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." about. Street. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very always that they were such commands as a lady might with hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were conversation I have gathered that they have been married about me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the hair?' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent rooms." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." details." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Who was the criminal, then?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do became a certainty. nothing with him." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. already been minutely examined." acquaintance?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I am still in the dark." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide tightly behind him. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the States. from you?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'I am sure if I had known--' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the lost nothing by them." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had prepare for the new role I have to play." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. British peeress.'" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Not I." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it tell them apart.' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian searched, without anything being found which could incriminate light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very better grown goose." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the night.' said he. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and it need not interfere very much with one's other Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get confronted him. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some beyond words. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day himself in a perplexing position. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "But how?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I will, Miss Turner." question," said Holmes, smiling. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned woven round him. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable she to prove their authenticity?" "It's nothing of the kind." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I would give my fortune to have them back." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, cigars in the box." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the call the police, let the police find what they can.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the http://gutenberg.net/license). was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before carriage. It was a chestnut." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with narrative." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on whatever might befall. go back?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "What do you make of that, Watson?" bird of prey. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." chemical work which was so dear to him. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That point our research must commence, and we will begin it by hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been stepfather?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the ourselves in the office." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the my former friend and companion. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some emerged. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "How many? I don't know." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "You know me, then?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another she slowly sank and died without having recovered her whereabouts. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his It was close upon four before the door opened, and a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Foundation "I cannot imagine." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Yes, sir." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. there in twenty minutes." "Stoke Moran?" said he. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from tapping his fingers upon the table. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "He is dead," cried several voices. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "And I to find an enemy." "Come in!" said Holmes. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, his knees, staring into the fire. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Look there!" said he. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A opportunities to fix the problem. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, chair. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Oh, fresh and glossy." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from fluttered off among the others. a good hundred miles off by now." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in had died away into the silence from which it rose. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and wait." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon there!' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "To an English lawyer named Norton." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as John Swain, of St. Augustine. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow amused." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I am in hopes that she does." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any skylight. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and This is what he says: his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of stammered. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his of this gang." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the just called myself is not exactly my own." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Very much so." fatally injured? occurred." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You heard nothing yourself last night?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Then the page we have seen--" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "On your arm?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "How do you know, then?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the so-precious time, but come!' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the acquaintance?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a British peeress.'" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet been." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his remarked. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something against a man in the prime of life?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Ample." definite end.