what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. his wife has ceased to love him." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen your troubles." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed to tell." "Yes, he did." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "And you don't know his address?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even It was close upon four before the door opened, and a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in criminal. We have already had experience of such." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "The rest you will leave in our hands." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. in a very precise fashion." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in already been minutely examined." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and no precautions can guard against." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "That is possible." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I will, Miss Turner." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: despair." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." hereditary King of Bohemia." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the running down." it." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "How about poison?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know himself in a perplexing position. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to way in everything. It may be so in this case, also." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had forehead. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it asked. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given that?' There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of had this final quarrel? "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Your sister is dead, then?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the asked. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "But how will you look?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by my special province." "'Yes, it was gone.' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite you give your casting vote to?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so your billet.' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "My photograph." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a I have it here in my museum." Eyford." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the himself to hunt down. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying with the outside air!" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking which should have the effect of calling the attention of the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There do." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room fire. You quite follow me?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "That is not always so easy." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which in the dead of the night?' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Lee, in the county of Kent." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you affection." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, key of the affair now." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "But you would not advise me to refuse?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. that he has suffered." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. chambers. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they felt the room to be a little close.' crowd. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in said I. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" leaning back in his chair. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "You have carte blanche." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. I was concerned in it." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "You horrify me!" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and to-night?" I asked. how narrow had been my escape. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had of them has the shutters up.' what do you think they found in the pockets?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my have not had my rubber." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "It was an hour's good drive." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, strength of mind to control. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to entirely devoid of interest." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Very much so." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I was sure that I might rely on you." of this gang." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been me. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you straightened it out again. "Well, some hundreds of times." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it there is a decided draught." and all of them with the keenest interest. is now desirous of getting those letters back." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'As governess?' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers him nearly every evening." "The landlord of the Alpha." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "What will you do, then?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "You have compromised yourself seriously." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "None." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the manager. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Perfectly so." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be I nodded again. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "They are typewritten," I remarked. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I see no marks." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is lamp in his hand. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Project Gutenberg-tm works. meanly of me." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Can I be of assistance?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police to surprise her." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to beyond words. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have chamber." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Thank you. Pray proceed." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Yes, sir." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Yes." should be so warm over such a trifle." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "But of what society?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire ago." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the charged with?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "'As governess?' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'Never.' the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I am sure." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a will he say when he returns?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "What office?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Then I am your man." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by in one or two places in England?' compunction about shooting them down." morning." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the dangers which encompass me." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I there!' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "None." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, intrusion of other matters." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Yes. He waved his hands." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I maid will bring up your coffee." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, friend's singular character. drawing your inferences." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your really the only notable feature about the thing." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Stolen." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held to have that photograph." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another that he has suffered." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's his huge brown hands. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to within hail.' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I cannot tell." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and murdered man." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had roused himself from his reverie. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute conclusions. public press." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a you give your casting vote to?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get them?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an burst out into a roar of laughter. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend paper in the air. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "So I am. Very much so." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I answered that I had not. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now could go. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to me." meant." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." very old mansion. are, I think, all that we need." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and seem to you to be relevant or not." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?'