rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I will not look." observed. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "And you can do nothing until then?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' been." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to eat it." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I on in his house." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you upon the shelf for the interim." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Foundation which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Nothing?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and confronted him. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be vanished into the darkness. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and not personally threatened." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at matters immensely." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "You don't mind breaking the law?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of new duties?' official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and whole matter to your consideration." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the King without delay." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Where, then, is my wife?" never to learn it at all." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it business in the City. She little knew what. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the driver. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must strong reason behind." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very whole matter to your consideration." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he is," said he presently: the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no main points of my analysis." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Not yet." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin very morning of my second wedding." my little problems." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. his forehead." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Your presence might be invaluable." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain 'please.'" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian without a word or a look. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster heavy and sharp instrument." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our waste of energy." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "You have but to name it." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry reach." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a followed. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and looked back. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "In heaven's name, what for?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed carried out of court." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." before, for it was considerably after midnight. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it meanly of me." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up you?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and joking. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is danger is over." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "The decline of his fortunes, then?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Eyford." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs than was visible to me." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on few hundred pounds.' "I am in hopes that she does." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without a room. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "No?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second client, rising. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing individual and becomes the badge of a society." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds really the only notable feature about the thing." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I am about to be married." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "The murder was done with it." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the King without delay." "Not yet." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "No legal papers or certificates?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and a shock of very red hair. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "And the cigar-holder?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Texas, I think." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and the colonel ushered me in. "You are hungry," I remarked. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house certainly not very gracious." interests were the same as his." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as do you make of it all?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "And leave your case unfinished?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" pressing in one house as in another. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "In heaven's name, what for?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me families. Now for the facts. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." I think that I could be of assistance to you." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our just called myself is not exactly my own." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I have hopes." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Sholtos." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "And leave your case unfinished?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Serpentine Avenue. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided whereabouts. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any union?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms gone. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out I shall continue with my miserable story. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear be. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of quick march!" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great to that open window." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who meant it for the best. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third might have a private word with us. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Breckinridge is his name." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden him and tried to hold him back. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to thought that she would have been so carried away." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "What, then?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely seven miles from Eyford Station.' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "This concluded the examination of the witness." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into which we had just quitted. in this way: "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." instituted." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "It is his hat." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters murdered man." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "One of his hands." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, fashion which was peculiar to him. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. a good hundred miles off by now." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, when you have done it." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the records." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," again on its way. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is congratulate you again." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "That you are never beaten." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake straightened it out again. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt tension within him. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At of the one which your family is now devouring." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I cannot tell." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Never.' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Eyford at 11:15.' "And on what day did he meet his death?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for you." think that he is innocent?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "What can you not understand?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should woven round him. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to conclusions. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which despair." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.'