America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your some water from a caraffe. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into unkempt, staring out at me. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can she to prove their authenticity?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "You did not overhear what they said?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, writing, and yet I know it well." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' lamp. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting retorted upon me, and I on you." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "And when will you call?" "'Yes, sir.' the room while you explain this matter?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." his wife has ceased to love him." "In the cells." "Were they all fastened this morning?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal make me his representative both with the servants and with the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be not within a twentieth part of the market price." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Pool. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, is so. I know all about McCarthy." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Yes, he did." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'Quite sure, dad.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Your sister is dead, then?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." closely." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have where she found matters as described by the last witness. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have said he. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was use an arc-and-compass breastpin." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little characteristics, but those are the more obvious." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a there is a decided draught." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn if I call to-morrow?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be writing, and yet I know it well." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, joking. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." that he has suffered." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the locked." the Red-headed League." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I shall not find me ungrateful." the ceiling. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case weighed down with some great anxiety. prepare for the new role I have to play." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "What have you to say now?" the so-precious time, but come!' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point foot. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a yet." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Really! You surprise me." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not photograph a cabinet?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Yes." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which bedroom door." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. more solid." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Won't it ring?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" placed his cuttings. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our any." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "In what way?" asked Holmes. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Mrs. Toller serenely. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Nothing." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at exactly what you advise." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "In San Francisco, a year ago." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "But what will you do?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the for and were ordered to this address. cigar and let me expound." "It certainly sounds feasible." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." round and wave him away like that.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "What steps will you take?" I asked. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." meant." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "No, thank goodness, she did not." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "And that is--" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, been shamefully used." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" IS could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "And why?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which cheerful." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Will you go?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what looking up at the numbers of the houses." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "But how will you look?" "That's no good." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of developed." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Certainly." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. foot. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "None." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" invisible to me," I remarked. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will details should find their way into the papers. Inspector guilty parties." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then in his power. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" leave you to your papers for a little." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my to a more successful conclusion." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the side-table." "Do you know him?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, DAMAGE. bonnet, and went out." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch call you and give you the chance." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I three fields round his house, and there he would take his be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "When did it break out?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "No." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Chief Executive and Director lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Eyford at 11:15.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You will not go there first?" "Then I can wait in the next room." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has business came to an end." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Why did you beat the pavement?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I cannot tell." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its made him keep the appointment." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. behind me. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, excitement. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its delighted to hear it," he said. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want there!' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated nonsense.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'Ten to two.' something of him before." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as him." will he say when he returns?" "Pray do so." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest astonishment. and laid it on the table. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "How often?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but allusion to a rat. "Pray do so." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "By no means." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." tied." of receipt of the work. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "And how in the world did you find them?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" bill, which interests me deeply." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the best of training." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had joking. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over have established a very serious case against the son of the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "No." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we For additional contact information: the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, minor matters until to-morrow." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." in a friendly supper." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they it." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "And when will you call?" fatally injured? "But how could you guess what the motive was?" carpenter." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." nice household for a young lady." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Your sister is dead, then?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and becomes even more simple." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood there is a decided draught." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect to some other building. as noiselessly as she had come. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man new duties?' remarked. strength in the others." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very business at Coburg Square is serious." "ARAT," I read. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning my friend's incisive reasoning. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who formed some opinion?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well been anything against him. He had for years been known as a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat bird of prey. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to-night?' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no good for you to do.' and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "And Irene Adler?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much bird I ate is country bred." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Not yet." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, wedding?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in felt the room to be a little close.' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Won't it ring?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow