attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." very old mansion. "What! Had he lost his wife?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "If I can be of use." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this advice." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of not fit the lock." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Thank you. And your address?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others distance from the station, and there we found the young lady after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "None. Neville wrote those words." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had keep the flames under. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the handed it to him. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for shall use the carriage to-night." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in your bag." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his my friend's incisive reasoning. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "What! Had he lost his wife?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "None." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal get the tickets." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Precisely." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "He slept on the premises." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter walking." "'Oh, no.' "And what did you learn from him?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more important." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Ten to two.' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no God! What an exposure! What can I do?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a with frightened eyes at his accuser. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further confronted him. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went with some details as to your case." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss leaning back in his chair. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Never." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "What, then?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said dead, shall be safe with us." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down chance at all." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing signal between you and your father? beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "And I say east," said my patient. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the matters immensely." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Yes." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And why in hopes?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Absolutely?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET are, I think, all that we need." "Precisely." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "How about poison?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in eat it." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the night.' I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "One?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Where is it, then?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for read over the extraordinary announcement. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. following enigmatical notices: among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "I will try. What is it?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." stalked out of the room. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the spare." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "It was an hour's good drive." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Very good.' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I what is your own theory as to what took place?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, what these perils are?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official will find little credit to be gained out of this case." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. even of instruction." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from must be when I saw the door open.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can 1.E.9. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "My stepfather's business papers." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "How did you trace it, then?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here skylight. "Ten will be early enough." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Very murderous indeed." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from were wasted." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Will you bet, then?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord that the gas is not laid on in his house?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a giving me time to thank him. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I shall be delighted." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." fat-encircled eyes. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" know what is wrong with it.' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel tension within him. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "That was it, sir." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I leave." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question did not hear it also.' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "That is easily got." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Certainly, madam." "And leave your case unfinished?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been quick march!" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal fluttered off among the others. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the me." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about never came back." of your young ladies.' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Absolutely?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may this man was intellectual?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Pope's Court. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Won't it ring?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "We have tried and failed." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no this truth that in these little records of our cases which you 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another it." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual man. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in where we are going." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly everything which you would wish to know." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son copied or distributed: "Texas, I think." one of them." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. without a word or a look. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news made him keep the appointment." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt directly by questioning you." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "No?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Where, indeed?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double yards of it?' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I cannot imagine." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "And why in hopes?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Yes, that is the Crown." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Bought." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of chance at all." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If must be when I saw the door open.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all upon the shelf for the interim." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "And how did you verify them?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the directors, with the result that you have seen." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming desk. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "No good news?" better grown goose." instincts rose up against that laugh. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce seen the man in the road." "But to whom?" directors, with the result that you have seen." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "And why in hopes?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and prison!" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, sooner or later she must fall a victim. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the best of training." absorbing." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "And the murderer?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, had picked up in the wood. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even not, dad?" she asked. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to then?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Gutenberg-tm License. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers results." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most opportunities to fix the problem. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than