"And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. are windows in it, of course?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a few minutes he said that it would be all right. not personally threatened." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were you, my dear young lady?' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "9th. McCauley cleared. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "But how?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without over here." thin legs towards the fire. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in answer." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, security.' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Did your wife hear all this?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences have established a very serious case against the son of the stood on the top of it. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the have got?" "He might." lips." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch long narrative. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some mystery may be cleared along those lines." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows that I am arrested." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had carriage. It was a chestnut." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Yes, it was gone.' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" crime. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. feature." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which where we are going." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was showing my impatience. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "No more words. Get out!" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I cannot think." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my triumphant cloud from his cigarette. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, are, and they are waiting for us." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a that he has suffered." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but begun to whiten, even as mine has." DAMAGE. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the both be extremely obliged.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, weary and pale-looking. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "What, then, did Peterson do?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was I am not easy in my mind about them." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the matter." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It good-night and bustled off upon her way. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat depend upon your compliance." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I vanished into the darkness. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go recall any case within my experience which looked at the first and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It is possible." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "9th. McCauley cleared. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "What! You do not mean bodies?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his letters?" "To the police?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons redistribution. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress to talk it over. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "And I say east," said my patient. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." hurried away. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax evidence," I remarked. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "No." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case politicians who had been sent down from the North. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock in a friendly supper." you." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and I shall be with you presently." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "To the police?" so.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if maiden herself was most instructive." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from along the entire front of the house, with three long windows until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the armchair which I pushed forward for him. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of manager. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I was afraid that you were engaged." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is arrested. You then--" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I say that I have solved it." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just seven miles from Eyford Station.' appointment with me for six o'clock?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I have seen the police." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. I. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a system of imprisonment?" "Who by?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you villagers almost as much as their master. "But who is he?" at my own good fortune. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by drove away. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the used to be." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "When did she vanish, then?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy in darkness. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "My dear Holmes!" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is voice. have established a very serious case against the son of the affection." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Cross for the Continent." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, emerged. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "How did he come?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "What! a murderous attack?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Certainly, madam." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project that he has suffered." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of salesman. remarked. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel was a perfect sample of the class. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." like gravel from a pit.' firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were obstinate." "But how?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Sutherland. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Sutherland. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Countess of Morcar's?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Murdered?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and the church but not where the lady lived." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, existence." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Again Holmes raved in the air. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your peculiar to him. chair. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "What will you say?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "What then?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the roots. four million human beings all jostling each other within the to-night." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." think that he is innocent?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had see a sister of mine apply for." "'I am sure that I do not know.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "No legal papers or certificates?" "'And what salary do you ask?' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the date of his supposed suicide." "The best possible." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever ready to-morrow?' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "And that is--" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "What have you to say now?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in