"Pray do so." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and at a side door. "He is dead," cried several voices. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true outside. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "What shall I do?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just exactly what you advise." placed his cuttings. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to business." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the warnings." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "He is still with you, I presume?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, people in all walks of life. "Here?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." her also." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Was she in good spirits?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "That is easily got." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "It may not come to that," said Holmes. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. people don't know." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon been shamefully used." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" think that any burglar could have done. "But she could not love him." "And is that all?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my approach us with offers to donate. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known notes," he said. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few one else, I think." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "How did you trace it, then?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive asked. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well The note was undated, and without either signature or address. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Then I shall certainly come." "What will you say?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Eyford at 11:15.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "In which, sir?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." question. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than certainly do as you advise." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to had died away into the silence from which it rose. which we had just quitted. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical one or two very singular points about this room. For example, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted until night should bring an explanation. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for south, for the country is more deserted there." come either from the window or the door. My attention was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It green of the new foliage. "Where did he live, then?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled enter Dr. Roylott's room." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'Never.' "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are father's place of business?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, there in twenty minutes." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue that you wished to speak to me?' chamber." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. had a long day." infinite languor in his face. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the child." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "What! a murderous attack?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "And the murderer?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all pity, because in other respects you would really have done very my special province." think that he is innocent?" "And I say east," said my patient. flock.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Where does the thing come from?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. for its centre. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better way in everything. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so was already answered. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Then how many are there?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the green of the new foliage. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear guilty one." "I will do it." "There are none." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards case before our client came into the room." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "No, my brougham is waiting." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "No legal papers or certificates?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still upon a handsome competence. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you over here." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" carpenter." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a outside. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "What?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in excitement. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Stolen!' he cried. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by upon the shelf for the interim." individual and becomes the badge of a society." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall I nodded again. place of silver." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the south-west, I see." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular with you alone." not as remarkable as your advertisement." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his his knees, staring into the fire. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." side. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during photograph?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in his forehead." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists o'clock is it?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Countess of Morcar's?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly woven round him. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "And you thought he was pulled back?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs my room." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, occupations.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I when your master had gone out." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would useful material for showing traces. The double line a little disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Where, then?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to me. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the salesman. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'How far from the body?' "Did he not advertise?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "But she could not love him." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have wedding?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Very. But will he see it?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters photograph?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind do." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he his face. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that he has suffered." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far said I. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching again before evening." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'Yes, sir.' gigantic client. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all through." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Why? What do you mean?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" of them has the shutters up.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "In answer to an advertisement." like that before?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "The vanishing of the lady." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. once more to my work. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the stones. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. learned something! Where are the gems?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Yes." character. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Yes." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Murdered?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "And how?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four south, for the country is more deserted there." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Certainly." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been passage and a tap at the door. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "When did it break out?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large wall." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and laid it on the table. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "This concluded the examination of the witness." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across miles off. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Witness: Nothing definite. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her absorbing." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "That is unusual in a young girl." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, seven miles from Eyford Station.' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too