metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. directors, with the result that you have seen." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic people in all walks of life. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Not yet." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "And help." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your third from London." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six keep the flames under. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face breakfast." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is again." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "If so, much may have happened between." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the bird I ate is country bred." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I say that I have solved it." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid acted in my house last night?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "But not more so than I to find you." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." is now desirous of getting those letters back." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all arrangements." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "On Monday." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Bought." peculiar to him. of it with the greatest attention. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all wanted for ourselves." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "You are hungry," I remarked. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the happened." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would gives a meaning to it." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that fear." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Never.' have had none more fantastic than this." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has situation." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Then I am your man." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked read it out to me." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'Where could I find him?' here." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Yes, it was twisted." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "We must have a cab." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner any." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at he died? be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Upon what point?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." room?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay out." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, fasten all the windows?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to go back?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit whereabouts. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and vanished into the darkness. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so then?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced there were one or two details which were new to me. But the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." so far?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Ten to two.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it washing it down with a long draught of water. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "This photograph!" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "What can it mean?" I gasped. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "And what did you see?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "But your client--" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "He is dead," cried several voices. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Not in a good cause." I. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the help us in this matter." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on see a sister of mine apply for." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'Why that?' I asks. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the mystery!" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such your own bird, so if you wish--" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and union?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY populous neighbourhood." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my visitors." whether it answered to the description of any of their Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe goes." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My there is a decided draught." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I should wish to." which we had just quitted. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'What, the red-headed man?' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my very morning of my second wedding." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an thirty. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been outsides of the windows. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that that?' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the remarked. answer." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining thirty. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'I have heard so.' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "But what is it you wish?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would gives a meaning to it." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Quite so. She has her freedom." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at again on its way. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some for the market.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "But who is he?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and observed. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made as he folded up the epistle. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Certainly." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a security.' "Could he throw no light?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "How often?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the little opening for the ventilator is." least a most suspicious remark." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification peculiar to him. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom woman." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to miss it." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very never to learn it at all." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange humiliation." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror for its centre. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to into the room. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a man. I know him from the photograph." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not outsides of the windows. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I shaken than I had ever seen him. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to copied or distributed: fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Does that suggest anything?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he himself. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who papers." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and it. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has frequently gained my first real insight into the character of as this. Pray let me have the details." lectures into a series of tales." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," ran thus: All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case cost them two and thirty pounds." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. presume?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Thank you. Pray proceed." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to have one." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, system of imprisonment?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately any little problem which you may submit to me." "When did she vanish, then?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Entirely." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, is," said he presently: pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all