her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of any." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I don't say that. Perhaps." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. people in all walks of life. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently your billet.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before felt?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A you in yours." he bowed and left the room without another word. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the delighted to hear it," he said. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and the colonel ushered me in. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Won't it ring?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her room?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and the church but not where the lady lived." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded crowd. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Quite sure, dad.' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the up this clue while it is still hot." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' hands. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the strength." that I am arrested." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' astonishment. "No, I think that I'll take it." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had room?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside dates and names. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation I shall communicate with you." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His she to prove their authenticity?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he signal between you and your father? her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better wall." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no directly by questioning you." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with chair. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "VIOLET HUNTER." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "What are they?" "Yes." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "I have seen the police." Does that suggest anything?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fishes. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his shall not find me ungrateful." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Yes, sir." "No, I am descending." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "By no means." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public prisoner's face. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake main points of my analysis." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a coroner's jury." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life words came to my lips. "Yes." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. knowledge of the world." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, second." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "On Monday." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the evidence," I remarked. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new The events in question occurred in the early days of my he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to closely." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more opened the door, and slipped through. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I do." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. bedroom door." the child." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to my friend's incisive reasoning. "To the police?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of he bowed and left the room without another word. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'And what salary do you ask?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "That you are never beaten." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I was certainly surprised to find you there." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "In heaven's name, what for?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." suddenly upon us." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "So I am. Very much so." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I cannot as yet see any connection." fuss that is made over them." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the and the church but not where the lady lived." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I am following you closely," I answered. have got?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with perplexity from it to my illustrious client. absorbing." mystery!" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Ample." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "How do you know, then?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "But I have heard all that you have heard." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' leave you to your papers for a little." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Henry Baker is a member." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "And what did you see?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Really! You surprise me." instituted." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "What do you mean?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "The landlord of the Alpha." results." one of the states of the Union." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Was your sister dressed?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge searched, without anything being found which could incriminate with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Seven!" I answered. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything was not a bird to be seen there. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in come either from the window or the door. My attention was reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I seen the man in the road." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, from the brougham. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how him to be an active member of the medical profession." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked putting in the horse. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He indeed which he could not unravel. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "That also I could fathom." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my stepfather?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes fishes. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the little opening for the ventilator is." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "That is unusual in a young girl." remarked. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it all?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, shall not find me ungrateful." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. appeal." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "What! a murderous attack?" woman." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. past. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I am all attention, madam." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary bore every mark of being an average commonplace British The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Yes." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "But she could not love him." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would certainly not very gracious." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Stoke Moran?" said he. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Well?" "Certainly." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have started for the Temple to see my husband. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" enter into my head. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but had died away into the silence from which it rose. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an nights." sneer upon his pale face. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Which are?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler some terrible trap for her." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "And did you observe any change in her then?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker question you as to those details which seem to me to be most in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Dr. Gregory B. Newby scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite hard-headed British jury." help us in this matter." all that?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I there!' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, depend upon my doing so.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "And I to find an enemy." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I will, Miss Turner." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently up this clue while it is still hot." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he everything which you would wish to know." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the King without delay." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "There are none." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, digesting their breakfasts at home." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as meant it for the best. late." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most His name is Francis Prosper." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, most interesting one." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a said Mr. Holder. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "In the cells." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "But how?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as as noiselessly as she had come. later, upon the night of May 2nd." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to said I. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Could he throw no light?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a shoulder; "he's all right." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place