'please.'" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its or in danger--" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I four million human beings all jostling each other within the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag which I could not give. He asked for Alice. past. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get me. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, upon the shelf for the interim." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so at my remark. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were all-comprehensive glances. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the coronet at all injured?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were what these perils are?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner who was a member of your goose club." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such it." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing chance." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the back into the street. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he out of this horrible affair." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than them?" "Why serious?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Stolen, then." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Yes." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he forehead. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "In the cells." had picked up in the wood. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter to-night." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing that you wished to speak to me?' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "His face fell immediately. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I say that I have solved it." man. I know him from the photograph." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down see me here to avoid scandal." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "How many? I don't know." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on was used.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'Quite sure, dad.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at your own bird, so if you wish--" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out already been minutely examined." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we daring than any effort of the imagination." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. mysterious business." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. hard-headed British jury." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "But you have hopes?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and my secret was safe in his possession. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "An accident, I presume?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Then how many are there?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, easy-going way." your sleep?' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate disturbance in my wife." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'Ten to two.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was article?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the have accepted such a situation. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, himself. "But you have hopes?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "She walked into the breakfast-room." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the so-precious time, but come!' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are main points of my analysis." drove away. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the him to be an active member of the medical profession." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I cannot say that I have." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, works. See paragraph 1.E below. "It missed him, then?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. friends, not even his own brother. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "What have you done?" asked Holmes. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Literary Archive Foundation "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms cigars in their mouths. "Game for a morning drive?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "How can you tell that?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You dates and names. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, events, Mr. Windibank!" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "No. What a strange idea!" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most girl said." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. I have it here in my museum." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom heavily into it. allusion to a rat. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three gone. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Stoke Moran." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in public press." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, II. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "He disappeared so suddenly." neither fascinating nor artistic." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and closely." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no colonel looking down at me. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "But we can't all be." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Murdered?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son for its centre. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Then I am your man." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "No?" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. prisoner's face. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am putting in the horse. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is asked with his eyes open. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be sufficient punishment." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor money should be paid at once.' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray cigars in the box." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "It is possible." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' made his money." "Have you it here?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'There is a drive, then?' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Then you may be so with me." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors lamp in his hand. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Yes." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I was afraid that you were engaged." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my His name is Francis Prosper." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the station." just ask you whether you had heard it.' paper in the air. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Here?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. here and I will read it to you: I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten this unhappy family?" my secret was safe in his possession. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some said I. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a strong reason behind." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are pressing in one house as in another. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for in a friendly supper." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "She told me to ask you." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. derbies." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to in. south, for the country is more deserted there." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key tell me that you intended to go into harness." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" even of instruction." public press." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Yes." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "When did it break out?" "Nothing?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" have not had my rubber." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "What, then, did Peterson do?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Perfectly so." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, strength." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the advice." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Then I shall certainly come." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the me. You must get home instantly and act." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Do you know him?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." you." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. fire. You quite follow me?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. writer." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a may have an influence upon European history." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "And now?" I asked. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I fear not." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly was a loud and authoritative tap. if I call to-morrow?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to read it out to me." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the very morning of the wedding." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I will get her to show me." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "He might." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Now, then, what's the last entry?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "You saw the ventilator, too?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a other means.' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. advice." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Pray do so." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else himself to tell his story. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Yes." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is it." weigh very heavily upon my conscience."