"Oh, the cause is excellent!" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some You want to know what became of those geese?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "She walked into the breakfast-room." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke his forehead." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Well?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or his face. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for things are very often connected not with the larger but with the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "It is possible." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been said he, "my real name is James Ryder." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was are, and they are waiting for us." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and it need not interfere very much with one's other foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you you." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Young McCarthy must be got off, however." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "To ruin me." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as leaning back in his chair. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It goes to the housekeeper's room." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it disappearance of the bride.'" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." door?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "What do you make of that, Watson?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here compunction about shooting them down." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears awaited us upon the table. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my grasp, he hurried from the room. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your said I. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set both be extremely obliged.' second window is the one that I jumped from." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, infinite languor in his face. "Yes, but only for you and me." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and in his power. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." to miss it." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'Yes, I promise.' narrative." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "He slept on the premises." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "And help." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I never have." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which way in." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a depend upon your compliance." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of man. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "But not more so than I to find you." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to talk it over. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the stones. laugh and put his lips to my ear. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and laid it on the table. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's approach us with offers to donate. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary and all of them with the keenest interest. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this His name is Francis Prosper." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I say that I have solved it." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no remarked. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" awaited us upon the table. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'It is locked up,' I answered. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what politicians who had been sent down from the North. as he folded up the epistle. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. help us in this matter." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Yes, certainly." himself in a perplexing position. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that garden below. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of look dissatisfied." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. with you?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Where to?' "What! You do not mean bodies?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who during that time.' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Did you observe the colour?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Chief Executive and Director commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'I am sure that I do not know.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "And is that all?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the not fit the lock." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. of the vacancies.' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both train from Paddington which would bring you there at about overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Then you may entirely rely on me." seven miles from Eyford Station.' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you hardly wander." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of breakfast." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Married! When?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "This concluded the examination of the witness." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Have you her photograph?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Where, then, is my wife?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "In what way?" asked Holmes. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" be there in time for your coming." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be national property. I was determined that the law should have its "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Yes." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and the church but not where the lady lived." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "What can you not understand?" business matters.' whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Seven!" I answered. friends, not even his own brother. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. as noiselessly as she had come. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just money should be paid at once.' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even mysterious business." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." enough to aid us in our search." breakfast." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "No bad?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be a few minutes he said that it would be all right. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, so.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "What then?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." served to weaken the effect. me. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds long narrative. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE himself in a perplexing position. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice him." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I am still in the dark." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there bachelor.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I should be immensely obliged to you." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in man. I know him from the photograph." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest American. Then who could this American be, and why should he sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Pray continue your narrative." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's important." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Street. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "A call for help, you thought?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its hour." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I guilty one." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your charge against him will break down." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured works. at my own good fortune. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "What will you say?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had nonsense.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own You can understand that this register and diary may implicate still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Then, as to money?" "Witness: I must still refuse. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect notes," he said. prison!" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "10th. John Swain cleared. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few is worth.' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you careless servant girl?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Project Gutenberg-tm works. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. bird of prey. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself obstinate." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The imbecility!" he cried. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium him nearly every evening." "Well." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?"