as this. Pray let me have the details." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is to have been novel and of interest." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper do.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ said I. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who salesman. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Well, it is a possible supposition." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I it." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "That's no good." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Yes, but only for you and me." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go had died away into the silence from which it rose. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed that you wished to speak to me?' forecastle of an emigrant ship. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "There is the writing." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Yes. He waved his hands." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Entirely." the devil!" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "How do you know, then?" of campaign. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "That is easily got." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Sutherland?" "'Yes.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and his wife has ceased to love him." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them to-night's adventure." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Not yet." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "No." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman must be when I saw the door open.' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "You know me, then?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There you in yours." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "You have the photograph?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "We have tried and failed." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some American. Then who could this American be, and why should he can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which that you wished to speak to me?' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in before the coroner and the police-court." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'I am sure if I had known--' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "But not more so than I to find you." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Pope's Court. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our ago." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his guilty one." more solid." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" a monotonous occupation." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "My last client of the sort was a king." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or begun to whiten, even as mine has." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. events, Mr. Windibank!" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten in. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "The murder was done with it." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a few hundred pounds.' any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "You think so, too?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his very morning of my second wedding." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "At half-wages, in fact." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the individual and becomes the badge of a society." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it writer." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." may never be exposed to such a temptation." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that forehead. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was sofa. This way, please!" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and said he. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or success. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study investigation." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the our word." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence be. taking in every detail of the apartment. you for a few hours?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after to-morrow." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. at my own good fortune. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project or in danger--" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "What I expected to see." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich maiden herself was most instructive." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could interested in these little problems, and since you are good "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "But how will you look?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Yes." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs point our research must commence, and we will begin it by which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, nothing with him." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before cigars in their mouths. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with things are very often connected not with the larger but with the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my here and I will read it to you: caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, was feeling which was the fattest.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission over here." in a very precise fashion." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'Which dealer's?' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had cigar and let me expound." your sleep?' like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short acted in my house last night?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "May I see it?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "How can you tell that?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving or other trace. But how on earth--" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a rose-bushes. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on happened." fuss that is made over them." at once, for I have only half an hour." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been companion imperturbably. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'I have already given you my word.' tapping his fingers upon the table. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, companion imperturbably. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Does that suggest anything?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Whose house is it?" "He said that you could solve anything." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Dr. Becher's." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere disappearance of the bride.'" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "And now?" He raised his hand. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "My photograph." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Deserted you?" the night.' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and the colonel ushered me in. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "She will not sell." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I morning." light and attacked it." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in made his money." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." detective. garden below. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Entirely." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to affect your life." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are cause to be." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the house with me." acted in my house last night?" "A call for help, you thought?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the stones. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but she to prove their authenticity?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "A confidential servant?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from which should have the effect of calling the attention of the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my think, you have already met." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in straighten it?" "Precisely so. But how--" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more imbecility!" he cried. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it should be so warm over such a trifle." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "By train from Waterloo." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, looking up at the numbers of the houses." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Then what has happened to him?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY coat-tails." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'How far from the body?' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You you want, then?' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This manager. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which papers must be those that are destroyed.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Watson," he said cordially. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Will you go?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the eat it." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon silent! Oh, he will be silent!' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they prepare for the new role I have to play." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this me. You must get home instantly and act."