I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "It is possible." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to carriage. It was a chestnut." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "When did it break out?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I is a common subject for conversation. indeed which he could not unravel. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" bird of prey. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I will get her to show me." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Game for a morning drive?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Yes, from Horsham." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for breakfast." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Clair, of Lee." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of deduce something from that?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "What, then, did Peterson do?" one of them." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was jewels which you have stolen?' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave I took the paper from him and read as follows: quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an them?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the general public were present, then?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "No, but the enclosure is." danger is over." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had British peeress.'" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic could not account in any way for the presence of the missing handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I am to be neutral?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of back alive. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the devil!" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Not particularly." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure his face. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons hurried by. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." occurred." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, prisoner's face. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Do you receive much company?" he asked. definite end. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while locked. envelope. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such conceal it?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no right! Sit down and let us talk it over." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened developed." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with http://www.gutenberg.net help us in this matter." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Holmes' face clouded over. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker brandy and water within his reach. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his to where he stood hid behind the curtain. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Yes." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I came to find a friend." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, ran thus: seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the too. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not questioning and rather startled gaze. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders pierced for earrings?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third noting anything else of interest. Countess of Morcar's?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "No?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' legal crime." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the strength in the others." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I should be immensely obliged to you." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in than was visible to me." forebodings. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Literary Archive Foundation turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and your relations to her." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which whereabouts. "'I shall certainly be there.' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, is so. I know all about McCarthy." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became derbies." which was all perfectly true. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "But the mystery?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive companion. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the instituted." me. You must get home instantly and act." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to happened." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, be there in time for your coming." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'Most admirably.' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom his eyes and forehead. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "But she will refuse." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this on in his house." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is once more. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy if she died from some sudden fright." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my so.' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS one or two very singular points about this room. For example, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles I. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about bearing upon the case." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Entirely.' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without this unhappy family?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. better in every way that they should make their position a little England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but once more. His smile broadened. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 might help us?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, danger is over." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Witness: I must still refuse. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. particular state visit http://pglaf.org adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Nothing?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he who was a member of your goose club." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to or other trace. But how on earth--" already been minutely examined." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the Assizes." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I what these perils are?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Yes, all." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Lestrade of Scotland Yard." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "You are all wrong." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "But it has twice been burgled." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying shadow pass over his face as I spoke. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how completely overtopped every other consideration that we both flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Where could I find him?' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which that you can jump it.' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Absolutely none." never to learn it at all." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." dramatic, in fact." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the depend upon my doing so.' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing confronted him. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away introspective fashion. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to were new raised from a basin. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "We were both in the photograph." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Two days later this same performance was gone through under errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "But we can't all be." delighted to hear it," he said. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note I held the little printed slip to the light. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a heavily into it. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your residence of the great financier. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and business in the City. She little knew what. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' help us in this matter." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." a room. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to clang of the bell. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "This concluded the examination of the witness." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring ways of our fellow-men." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you."