doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal call the police, let the police find what they can.' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see respectable self." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you some place of shelter and let the county police know what has my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the very morning of the wedding." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. writers could invent nothing more crude." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "You think that he is dead?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking seven miles from Eyford Station.' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I might help us?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how simple cases which are so extremely difficult." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away entirely devoid of interest." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson fasten all the windows?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Stoke Moran." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went nights." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her right! Sit down and let us talk it over." as he folded up the epistle. have an American origin." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the best of training." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the I have it here in my museum." dead, shall be safe with us." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing bill, which interests me deeply." chance at all." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Has he come with you to-night?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which very morning of my second wedding." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found vault. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the so-precious time, but come!' north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal you?' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "So it appears." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third fattened it expressly for you.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Tell me all about it,' said I. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, had a long day." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I What do you deduce from it?" spark where all is dark to me." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Game for a morning drive?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I came to find a friend." "Was your sister dressed?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several bled considerably." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' up this clue while it is still hot." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch take the flies, but not before." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in amused." your equipment. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I think that it is very probable." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the tragedy. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his instincts rose up against that laugh. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a if only as a check to my own memory." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Quite so." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very little adventures." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our particular state visit http://pglaf.org few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "9th. McCauley cleared. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such get her out of the way." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug distinguish the words: at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred wedding?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" a room. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who go--none." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these burst out into a roar of laughter. goes." acquaintance?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "My dear Holmes!" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this forbidden door. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Seven!" I answered. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, is," said he presently: upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Breckinridge is his name." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get been deceived." Holmes' thin, eager face. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two upon the white wrist. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I will, Miss Turner." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an charge against him will break down." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "And the murderer?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Yes, it was twisted." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." events, Mr. Windibank!" distinguish the words: "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a upon the sideboard." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I cannot imagine." footfalls from the street. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. matter over." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in where we are going." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and imbecility!" he cried. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, matter." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," colour had been driven from his face. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of sufficient punishment." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "What will you do, then?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal may have an influence upon European history." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other *** START: FULL LICENSE *** houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'And what salary do you ask?' a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a this remarkable episode. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Whose house is it?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, visitors." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "But how?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then pressing in one house as in another. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here details should find their way into the papers. Inspector fat-encircled eyes. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "No legal papers or certificates?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Street. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Holmes rather sternly. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a John Swain, of St. Augustine. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will plantation.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Yes, it was gone.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated next day. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "None. Neville wrote those words." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." interests were the same as his." "I see no marks." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the salesman. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I awaited us upon the table. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from individual and becomes the badge of a society." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are held up the lantern and gazed about him. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get points in connection with it which never have been, and probably town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "This concluded the examination of the witness." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of help us in this matter." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into most interesting one." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and important." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I looking up at the numbers of the houses." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "And the murderer?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" unkempt, staring out at me. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and more solid." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "ARAT," I read. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they me. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Thank you. And your address?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Why did you beat the pavement?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each business in the City. She little knew what. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the arrested. You then--" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." existence." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Heh?' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Indeed! Whose, then?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such you in your example." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is of campaign. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Well, some hundreds of times." "That's no good." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Leadenhall Street--and--" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter carpenter." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** least a most suspicious remark." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if upon the sideboard." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, only touch the interest." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just your most interesting statement." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly colour had been driven from his face. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in she to prove their authenticity?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear cause to be." "None." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I think it very unlikely." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Yes, the wine-cellar." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the