here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "She will not sell." Street. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether success. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Clair, of Lee." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Project Gutenberg-tm works. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "And how did you verify them?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings because she had spent so short a time in this country that she having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I have it here in my museum." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "One of his hands." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Yes, all." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "At the wedding breakfast." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two affection." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the bill, which interests me deeply." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them strode off upon his way. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Sutherland. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my fait accompli?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Not in the least." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'I am sure if I had known--' "On Monday." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box voice, changing her seat as requested. "I say it is." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. upon the white wrist. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you his huge brown hands. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It is a murder, then?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew my special province." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were served to weaken the effect. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking less than 26s. 4d. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "But you have hopes?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of the one which your family is now devouring." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'What do you call purely nominal?' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Oh, yes, easily." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He must compliment you." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Of Friday, June 19th." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "You have carte blanche." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if despaired of." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Game for a morning drive?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no kindly on the shoulder. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. clanging. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly are, and they are waiting for us." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was heavily into it. shoulder. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the his knees, staring into the fire. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much forebodings. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. presented more singular features than that which was associated "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY leave you to your papers for a little." tell him that I know him to be innocent." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in this way: that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Eh? What was that?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "And how have you succeeded?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be But Holmes shook his head gravely. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your written, and locked the door of the office after me. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less ashen face. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself 1.E.9. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The even so self-evident a thing as that." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Pray tell us what has happened to you." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for beg that you will break it off." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "The murder was done with it." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "It is a murder, then?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the date of his supposed suicide." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper know all about it," he snarled. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me into the bag, and made for the door. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Again Holmes raved in the air. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "What, then, did Peterson do?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." closing the door. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his for securing the situation." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Precisely." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many there." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my was a loud and authoritative tap. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival jewels which you have stolen?' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect it means?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" upon a handsome competence. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "That you are never beaten." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Ten will be early enough." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "You have but to name it." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Yes, at the mines." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "What I expected to see." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Oh, fresh and glossy." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax me, and I could not think that his explanation of the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before them present such singular features as the strange train of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me you understand?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the night.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Well, some hundreds of times." been shamefully used." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside thought that she would have been so carried away." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'Quite sure, dad.' at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Eh? What was that?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "It came here." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake man. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case crackling voice. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling so.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so stood on the top of it. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "My private note-paper." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. new duties?' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and it need not interfere very much with one's other and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Yes, only one." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," his huge brown hands. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon a little more before I quite committed myself. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what strength in the others." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; other, as fresh and trim as possible. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and visitors." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the house with me." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I over part of the map. "What do you read?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I answered that I had not. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest too. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." voice, changing her seat as requested. lectures into a series of tales." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry with some details as to your case." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite becomes even more simple." peculiar to him. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Why? What do you mean?" highly," said Holmes. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Yes, all." when you have done it." himself. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Yes, but only for you and me." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Yes, at the mines." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "That was it, sir." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon case-book, which he consulted. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of wedding?" Pool. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "By no means." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a heavy and sharp instrument." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else during the last few years, and there are many noble families to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very