to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. in the port of London." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about delighted to hear it," he said. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can weapon." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "So I heard. You have him here?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building furiously. "But how did you gain them?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, will not take me long to tell. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'Certainly,' I answered. "Has he come with you to-night?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "What then?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a charged with?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform less than 26s. 4d. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "And you can do nothing until then?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." official police." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Yes." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in an introduction to him?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Stolen, then." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from such person." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a nothing with him." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, strength." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid pressing in one house as in another. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon spare." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what seen the man in the road." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true straighten it?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and The King stared at him in amazement. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were than was visible to me." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your to-night?" I asked. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And the murderer?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more fait accompli?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable excitement. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Where, then?" in this note: a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the My friend smiled. respectable self." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Perfectly so." from the brougham. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Really! You surprise me." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." envelope. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." question," said Holmes, smiling. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he that you wished to speak to me?' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "By all means." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the crowd. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I rose-bushes. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "But how?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the coronet at all injured?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "What do you make of that, Watson?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great letters?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "On your arm?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric golden eyeglasses. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "She will not sell." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Won't it ring?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was future lives." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of seven miles from Eyford Station.' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I think that it is very probable." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Has he come with you to-night?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer fait accompli?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Awake, Watson?" he asked. once more. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no your most interesting statement." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He next day. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the most interesting one." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried to take care of herself." "How on earth--" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "What office?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in is four-and-twenty." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and the church but not where the lady lived." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I a room. during that time.' "Yes, from Horsham." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Holmes' face clouded over. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking cup of tea. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'Which dealer's?' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were problems help me to do so." "You think so, too?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'As governess?' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining will be renamed. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong conversation I have gathered that they have been married about that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was telegram would bring me down to your help." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Cross for the Continent." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far matters immensely." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "On the contrary, this is the right side." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Nothing?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may some terrible trap for her." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the answer." morning." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the roots. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'Where to?' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of the one which your family is now devouring." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Leadenhall Street--and--" back to my heart. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a weapon." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' business." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "No, finished." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It came here." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the salesman. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just is entirely a question of barometric pressure." License. You must require such a user to return or had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "What?" "Where, indeed?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to formed some opinion?" "I am all attention, madam." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin definite end. "Yes, from Horsham." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "If I can be of use." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated system of imprisonment?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our followed. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so would then never go into court at all." rat could hardly pass through." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable affair. and inquire as to the address." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, I have it here in my museum." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I fear not." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive careless servant girl?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been sentimental considerations in the background which would induce vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into 'I should be able to look after that for you.' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search later, upon the night of May 2nd." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "And help." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that will take you up to see the machine.' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'Certainly not. But why?' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Can I be of assistance?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet redistribution. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be other, as fresh and trim as possible. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the him nearly every evening." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Eh? What was that?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of there was no need for father to know." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the little opening for the ventilator is." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls father's place of business?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "None." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of Mr. Rucastle's." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "BALLARAT." ceremony." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Yes, certainly." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "The vanishing of the lady." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it to his chemical studies. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'Which dealer's?' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "What is it?" Stoke Moran." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "But she will refuse." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was suddenly upon us." most interesting one." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped