from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be them, and came down just as you departed. "It came here." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his companion imperturbably. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging someone who had been in Australia." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. his huge brown hands. daring than any effort of the imagination." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "In heaven's name, what for?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. whether it answered to the description of any of their "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious really the only notable feature about the thing." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my conduct the inquiry." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "None." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "If so, much may have happened between." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'Yes, it was gone.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I crime. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged strength in the others." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "And the cigar-holder?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "But you have hopes?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of undoubtedly my uncle's." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "The vanishing of the lady." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I have seen the police." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with miles off. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I am sure." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the your co-operation." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of campaign. forecastle of an emigrant ship. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate room had already been engaged for us. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness have accepted such a situation. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which and capable of preserving a secret.' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there which it had come upon my father." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "What are they?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I bled considerably." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer his face. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project that you wished to speak to me?' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were if she died from some sudden fright." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily showing my impatience. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock daring than any effort of the imagination." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you habit of advancing money.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Why, what do you mean?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the room while you explain this matter?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "And how in the world did you find them?" "And now?" I asked. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "No." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived business at Coburg Square is serious." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a case-book, which he consulted. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Sutherland?" introspective fashion. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then despair." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge she to prove their authenticity?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler in a friendly supper." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Of what day?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Arthur Conan Doyle character. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by bachelor.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder digesting their breakfasts at home." back to my heart. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "No, I think that I'll take it." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'Yes, sir.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece not come at once?" companion. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid once more. "The vanishing of the lady." may have an influence upon European history." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird all that?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to had picked up in the wood. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled face and glided from the room. "Ten will be early enough." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry certainly do as you advise." both be extremely obliged.' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'What then?' I asked. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had forecastle of an emigrant ship. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can You can understand that this register and diary may implicate became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done what is your own theory as to what took place?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small will not take me long to tell. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Look there!" said he. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "But what harm can there be in that?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "10th. John Swain cleared. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no of the vacancies.' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Certainly not. But why?' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business attention." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "It is no ordinary one." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Two days later this same performance was gone through under there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after tell me that you intended to go into harness." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I say it is." you want, then?' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "An enemy?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon been." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a to take care of herself." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "One of his hands." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "What! Had he lost his wife?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "My stepfather's business papers." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "And how did he make his money?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his could not have written that. It is the German who is so "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a ran thus: that by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the have been better. It is all right." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in 'please.'" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and You want to know what became of those geese?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, pressing in one house as in another. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Foundation one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest at a side door. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a face and glided from the room. away to you." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have companion imperturbably. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices made him keep the appointment." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and I shall be with you presently." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no long narrative. "Yes." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It is very kind of you." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." with you?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been in his hands." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." that on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "You think so, too?" I held the little printed slip to the light. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. photograph a cabinet?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The instituted." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I beg that you will break it off." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your bled considerably." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs bill, which interests me deeply." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I will get her to show me." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, speckled band?"