that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Dirty?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been fled together." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind question," said Holmes, smiling. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless business matters.' Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Henry Baker is a member." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this girl said." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society events, Mr. Windibank!" "Indeed! Whose, then?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "No." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Here?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I shall most certainly do so." one of the states of the Union." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between served to weaken the effect. "And how have you succeeded?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and that I can to serve you." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' of a light. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "That is possible." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. second window is the one that I jumped from." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Where to?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' villagers almost as much as their master. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last not personally threatened." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with enter into my head. overpowering excitement and concern. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham standing smiling on the door-step. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "So I heard. You have him here?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'A dozen yards or so.' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Pope's Court, Fleet Street." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it him!" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days tied." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I hereditary King of Bohemia." few hundred pounds.' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'Very good.' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Yes, I have one waiting." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I for the market.' night.' said he. residence of the great financier. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "The gentleman I describe." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "But how?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to persecution?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his sparkled upon his finger. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Not social, then?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Could he throw no light?" presented more singular features than that which was associated questioning and rather startled gaze. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his sparkled upon his finger. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch miles off. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were he bowed and left the room without another word. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to Leatherhead. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Nothing." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a in a friendly supper." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until written. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Then he might have called to you?" telegram would bring me down to your help." him!" a little more before I quite committed myself. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Proceed, then." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, lost his Christmas dinner." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime records." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend 1.F. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A derbies." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that companion quietly. habit of advancing money.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I say it is." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Have you her photograph?" views." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. one's self under obligations.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the house with me." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his observed. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Indeed! Whose, then?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Of what day?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their them?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Why that?' I asks. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'Oh, no.' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Your French gold?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Yes, certainly." wanted for ourselves." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was depend upon my doing so.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the examine." minor matters until to-morrow." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, there in twenty minutes." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and awaited us upon the table. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I promise," said Holmes. case-book, which he consulted. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'What then?' I asked. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Nothing?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. my friend's incisive reasoning. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your tell them apart.' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his address. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the tragedy. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous he bowed and left the room without another word. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the dangers which encompass me." introspective fashion. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'What are you doing there?' he asked. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, bird of prey. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would if only as a check to my own memory." opened the door, and slipped through. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the child." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into you." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Mrs. Toller serenely. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did keep the flames under. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I came to find a friend." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "And is that all?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." became a certainty. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive morning." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "And your father? Did you tell him?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and shall not find me ungrateful." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "It is a murder, then?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Why did you beat the pavement?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his with you alone." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a his face. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'And what are they worth?' I asked. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Why did you beat the pavement?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Did you observe the colour?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' and inquire as to the address." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Pray do so." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the roots. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "How often?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, public press." undoubtedly my uncle's." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of