The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater his grey eyes. green of the new foliage. status with the IRS. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I will not look." "By no means." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was visitors." During two years I have had three consultations and one small sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." been." highroad, where all traces were lost. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "But what harm can there be in that?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there where we are going." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "And I." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire could gather together that I was able to avert another public was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the London for the present?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "His face fell immediately. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with I nodded again. "I shall most certainly do so." weighed down with some great anxiety. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. companion quietly. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." least a most suspicious remark." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "That sounds a little paradoxical." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was lame." conclusions. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his head. So long, then!" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the roots. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "A call for help, you thought?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you anything to do with the matter?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is threw himself down with his face to the pillow. bonnet, and went out." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than one of the states of the Union." forebodings. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "To ruin me." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "What shall I do?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "And for present expenses?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Could he throw no light?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been morning." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as into her hand at the door and which lured her within their time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable away to you." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and you." "No bad?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Lee, in the county of Kent." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "No." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man young Openshaw's." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, wedding?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Sutherland?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which or other trace. But how on earth--" annoyance, but no jest. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of next day. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of confronted him. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you papers." sake, don't!" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into in. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more me what he had done with the three missing stones. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The this man was intellectual?" "She will not sell." "Won't it ring?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another ventilator." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is your only hope of safety." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on to have that photograph." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the events, Mr. Windibank!" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Dirty?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I shall most certainly do so." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my frequently gained my first real insight into the character of leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with humiliation." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who maiden herself was most instructive." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "You heard nothing yourself last night?" thin legs towards the fire. be there in time for your coming." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Then, as to money?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, The events in question occurred in the early days of my neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he up this clue while it is still hot." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened if I call to-morrow?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the never to learn it at all." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of of Mr. Rucastle's." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically man. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I am sure." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the enough to aid us in our search." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove unprecedented a position." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "The doctor?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I see no marks." details." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Of what?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most article?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project better grown goose." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'What do you call purely nominal?' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless public press." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which is so. I know all about McCarthy." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the waste of energy." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as peculiar to him. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a night.' said he. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "He might." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Pope's Court, Fleet Street." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Do you go out much in society?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "And the cigar-holder?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural straighten it?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the foresight and the moral retrogression?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Of what day?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl fluttered off among the others. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" opened the door, and slipped through. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with answered with a sidelong glance. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a point in the dark hollow of his hand. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really with her." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you cost them two and thirty pounds." you?' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No situation." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Where, indeed?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the house with me." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he tell them apart.' bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my I approached. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. works. See paragraph 1.E below. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "You have but to name it." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." man. I know him from the photograph." "None. Neville wrote those words." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had my former friend and companion. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "The gentleman I describe." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "How often?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Yes?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. was a lad." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "But to whom?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their best detective that ever lived. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that you can jump it.' "To ruin me." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Henry Baker is a member." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Only as much as we can deduce." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in read it out to me." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Really! You surprise me." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be out." Farm upon the left." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the important." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father he died? "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare undoubtedly my uncle's." "What office?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at to-morrow." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I know where it is." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, legal crime." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Why did you pick him?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." companion. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an gbnewby@pglaf.org continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock of Mr. Rucastle's." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the