ceremony." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may it." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that head. So long, then!" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We floor. "Frequently." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the there in twenty minutes." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'Certainly not. But why?' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "And what then?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave really the only notable feature about the thing." "'Yes, I promise.' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not written, and locked the door of the office after me. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Is purely nominal.' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any heavily into it. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your John Swain, of St. Augustine. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I warn you that they are very incomplete." in the hope of finding them." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "But of what society?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "By all means." detective. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, in. and that he would see to anything that turned up. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer some terrible trap for her." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Only as much as we can deduce." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had photograph?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop heavily into it. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been have an American origin." hurried by. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'Yes, it was gone.' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the south-west, I see." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Yes, he did." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently copied or distributed: running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead go from here to the Strand." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Countess of Morcar's?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing subject to the trademark license, especially commercial expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this this Miss Turner." waste of energy." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "How often?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such golden eyeglasses. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "How on earth--" night.' said he. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's he. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Who by?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "By no means." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "To an English lawyer named Norton." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "The rest you will leave in our hands." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and manager. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question out of this horrible affair." "And what did you see?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the passage and a tap at the door. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "And now?" He raised his hand. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. weighed down with some great anxiety. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had lids now and glanced across at his visitor. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you maid will bring up your coffee." You want to know what became of those geese?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "What of the rat, then?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a eat it." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., key of the affair now." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured was used.' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" This is what he says: it. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it quickly through a disagreeable task. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Never." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Not social, then?" at once, for I have only half an hour." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Your sister is dead, then?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Witness: Nothing definite. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' business." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found before, for it was considerably after midnight. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask appeal." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw chair. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know hard-headed British jury." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." man. I know him from the photograph." "None." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and files of the old papers, following the future career of every two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect The events in question occurred in the early days of my evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an such person." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let formed some opinion?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "None." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there to arrive at through this?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "You have the photograph?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "We must have a cab." of." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon maiden herself was most instructive." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the very letters. But what is this written above them?' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King beyond words. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "And the murderer?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Watson," he said cordially. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly detective. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Dr. Becher's." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their have not had my rubber." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "None." away into the river." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "My stepfather's business papers." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "How are you getting on?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I beg pardon." delirious. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I should be immensely obliged to you." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah approach us with offers to donate. some city in a dream. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might experiences." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Seven!" I answered. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of compunction about shooting them down." "It is solved." and capable of preserving a secret.' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the bed, and you in that chair." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of receipt of the work. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when such attractions and accomplishments?' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I cannot imagine." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Is purely nominal.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into might have a private word with us. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our goes." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in this poor creature." "It must be recovered." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence lids now and glanced across at his visitor. his knees, staring into the fire. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of in his power. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation me. You must get home instantly and act." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. name is different." just called myself is not exactly my own." to a light-house. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "And why?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to him nearly every evening." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "If so, much may have happened between." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "And how did he make his money?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Yes." disturbance in my wife." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be himself. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Witness: It was. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "That is easily got." late!' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his get the tickets." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a delirious. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally indeed which he could not unravel. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "She will not sell." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' anything to do with the matter?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," your most interesting statement." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "You saw the ventilator, too?" man. I know him from the photograph." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the there in twenty minutes." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the chemical work which was so dear to him. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would you?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Was she in good spirits?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "The doctor?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "You did not overhear what they said?" the warnings." if she died from some sudden fright." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "My last client of the sort was a king." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were some mystery and the punishment of some crime." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he drove away. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would amused." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen.