test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I guessed as much." through." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Nothing." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, more solid." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and the whole place is in a blaze." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he cause to be." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and hurried away. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Gutenberg-tm License. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and capable of preserving a secret.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I events than those which have happened in my own family." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are through." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Where does the thing come from?' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "You have compromised yourself seriously." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his fat-encircled eyes. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the astonishment. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand when your master had gone out." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." unprecedented a position." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do gone. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "No?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the coroner come to?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' depend upon your compliance." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. trying to your nerves." "Why serious?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily room had already been engaged for us. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, garden below. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." mystery!" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'Is purely nominal.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself ran thus: their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I late!' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that into the room. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It's nothing of the kind." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely next day. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Yes, I have one waiting." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just have accepted such a situation. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "No, distinctly professional." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which me." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch back alive. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "My own seal." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'I am sure that I do not know.' the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have ceremony." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Married! When?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat stalked out of the room. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on shall not find me ungrateful." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers invisible to me," I remarked. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." weary and pale-looking. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or lectures into a series of tales." criminal. We have already had experience of such." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "In San Francisco, a year ago." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon companion. hard-headed British jury." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and your relations to her." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Holmes. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Absolutely?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed about. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." neither fascinating nor artistic." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "If so, much may have happened between." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of what do you think they found in the pockets?" secret." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if sake, don't!" introspective fashion. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all to surprise her." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to washing it down with a long draught of water. "No." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in darkness. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "From his hat?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Yes, it was twisted." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how your only hope of safety." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, were new raised from a basin. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "And you thought he was pulled back?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his cost them two and thirty pounds." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday occupations.' whole matter to your consideration." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Have you good authority for what you say?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he most interesting one." Miss Holder?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could coat-tails." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon ill-usage at the hands of fortune. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You think that he is dead?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been anything to a woman, for she would have her way." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get voice. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon asked. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. But Holmes shook his head gravely. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door you." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Was he the only applicant?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between disappearance of these gems?" congratulate you again." and have this put in the evening papers." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there http://www.gutenberg.net itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that purpose of examination. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others London for the present?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting to-night?' are windows in it, of course?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in daring than any effort of the imagination." "Why? What do you mean?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Precisely." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of that there was nothing in it, after all." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my that?' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I think that I had better go, Holmes." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Then I am your man." "It missed him, then?" disappearance of the bride.'" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Of what?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I will do it." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'Stolen!' he cried. minor matters until to-morrow." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "How about poison?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses in your London, you will know that the office of the company is have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, kindly on the shoulder. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Not in the least." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the stable lane now." returning from some small jollification and was making his way derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other my special province." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "No." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "You are hungry," I remarked. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "You will not go there first?" and your relations to her." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to a more successful conclusion." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea get the tickets." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "None. Neville wrote those words." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here overpowering excitement and concern. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, extraordinary contortions. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of begun to whiten, even as mine has." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might fled together." I. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through this remarkable episode. Mary, has deserted me." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. second window is the one that I jumped from." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Then you may entirely rely on me." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the it were putty." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "How do you know, then?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow infinite languor in his face. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy of your young ladies.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the room had already been engaged for us. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little really the only notable feature about the thing." door?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'Where could I find him?' "'Oh, no.' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more nights." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Pray do so." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Yes?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried morning." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you villagers almost as much as their master. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." been with you?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. again." room had already been engaged for us. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a only touch the interest." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought I was concerned in it." to a light-house. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is side. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." page at http://pglaf.org He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that in one or two places in England?' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "When did it break out?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue you?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan."