compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Then I can wait in the next room." "Absolutely?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change dates and names. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for without a word or a look. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn fact, we may call it conclusive." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "And did you observe any change in her then?" hurried by. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of you?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been fattened it expressly for you.' my friend's incisive reasoning. "My dear Holmes!" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "None." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Eyford." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I have solved it." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "You have the photograph?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "In San Francisco, a year ago." with some details as to your case." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "But I have heard all that you have heard." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Holmes, the busybody!" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an appointment with me for six o'clock?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may simple cases which are so extremely difficult." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said him to be an active member of the medical profession." "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the he bowed and left the room without another word. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be unprecedented a position." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "No good news?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us that the gas is not laid on in his house?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Really! You surprise me." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see father's young wife. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "How about poison?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was ways of our fellow-men." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "What! Had he lost his wife?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, do.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long to have been novel and of interest." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open observed. "What then?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know stammered. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any late." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a he bowed and left the room without another word. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your for its centre. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "And from a noble client?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further of." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of suspect him." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." a suggestive one." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Yes, certainly." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been speckled band?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to where he stood hid behind the curtain. I was concerned in it." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the said he. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I will try. What is it?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your papers diligently of late, have you not?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said charge against him will break down." individual and becomes the badge of a society." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and the whole place is in a blaze." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "One of the highest in England." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same pity, because in other respects you would really have done very before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of his shoulders. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard nothing of it?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I see many objections to any such theory." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. becomes even more simple." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your prepare for the new role I have to play." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." people don't know." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a important." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "But what will you do?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project visitors." charge against him will break down." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train a good hundred miles off by now." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Doctor, of the paper and the date." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'Ample.' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then security.' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me to-morrow." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the it right.' "You were travelling in the States?" seem to you to be relevant or not." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of not, dad?" she asked. recover the gem." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "It is very kind of you." such person." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out case before our client came into the room." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Well?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about of receipt of the work. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the Friday. Was it to be in church?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the driver. "Of what day?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Then, how do you know?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Nothing." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property room?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'I am sure that I do not know.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I cannot say that I have." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle it." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, companion imperturbably. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in ready to-morrow?' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently key of the affair now." away to you." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid upon the white wrist. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you correct than the official force." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Witness: Nothing definite. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I purpose of examination. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I think it very unlikely." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping correct than the official force." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was before the coroner and the police-court." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very geese which you supplied to the Alpha." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten purpose equally well?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "By no means." "I never have." "When did it break out?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is The events in question occurred in the early days of my as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," cigars in the box." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new case before our client came into the room." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "On the contrary, this is the right side." crackling voice. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" think that he is innocent?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "You horrify me." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this my former friend and companion. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and touch that coronet?' his face. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project suggested at once that there must be a communication between the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the and laid it on the table. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at