the window, rose as we entered. Again Holmes raved in the air. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone one which it was hard to resist. my secret was safe in his possession. the south-west, I see." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the Red-headed League." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "But you were on a friendly footing?" fat-encircled eyes. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle danger is over." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether one's self under obligations.' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Pray do so." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "He disappeared so suddenly." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that From what you have told me I think that it is possible that waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare records." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Have you her photograph?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I will try. What is it?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. said he. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather he died? started for the Temple to see my husband. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was vault. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him infinite languor in his face. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we conversation I have gathered that they have been married about another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he already been minutely examined." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "One of his hands." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "It came here." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Yes." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. derbies." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "But what will you do?" Holmes." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the coronet at all injured?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing business in the City. She little knew what. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I think it very unlikely." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Murdered?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Has he come with you to-night?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. only touch the interest." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It question. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that there was nothing in it, after all." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying appointment with me for six o'clock?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "How did you trace it, then?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted said he, "my real name is James Ryder." you?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I beg pardon." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and 11:15.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not ran thus: peculiar to him. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Never.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Yes, from Horsham." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." respectable self." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take States. II. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that was once confined in the cab my mission was practically man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. long narrative. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not papers." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "None." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" our word." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn legal crime." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Not in the least." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Her father is very rich?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the vanished into the darkness. "Where did he live, then?" "Yes, from Horsham." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Was the window open?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Not yet." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Yes, sir." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Entirely." at my remark. himself to tell his story. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by to-morrow." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "A greater distance to travel." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his outbreak?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the tied." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are dramatic, in fact." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "The vanishing of the lady." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Pray continue your narrative." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at to talk it over. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a strode off upon his way. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a was a loud and authoritative tap. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so neither fascinating nor artistic." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, know what is wrong with it.' roused himself from his reverie. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." I think that I could be of assistance to you." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works lids now and glanced across at his visitor. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Where does the thing come from?' had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Foundation Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "She will not sell." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Texas, I think." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive once more for Briony Lodge. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "But your client--" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Did your wife hear all this?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a man. best detective that ever lived. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Married! When?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about again." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, existence." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Quite sure, dad.' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I will not look." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were III. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Surrey." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most seen the man in the road." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'Which dealer's?' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying whole matter to your consideration." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else six. Come in!" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to during that time.' straightened it out again. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon all that?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "How did he come?" in darkness. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of anything to do with the matter?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told a suggestive one." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite to talk it over. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Not in a good cause." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "It is to him that this trophy belongs." go from here to the Strand." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. union?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the off." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the ashen face. whether it answered to the description of any of their Countess of Morcar's?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "And now?" He raised his hand. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do you came in." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a keep the flames under. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "And when will you call?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "What is it?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "And you can do nothing until then?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes and inquire as to the address." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in father's place of business?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'I have heard so.' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Yes." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and the whole place is in a blaze." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "One of his hands." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in is worth.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, followed. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send