girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "How can you tell that?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Witness: Nothing definite. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and put his glass in his pocket. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers colour had been driven from his face. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the so-precious time, but come!' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was death." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "You have but to name it." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret new acquaintance to Baker Street. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Why, what do you mean?" "No, I had a dozen." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Was there a secret marriage?" "So I have heard." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little one of them." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I say it is." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "But what harm can there be in that?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "She showed me, as I told you she would." during which he might have communicated with his friend the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons over his head with a sweet womanly caress. with you?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Heh?' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." from the brougham. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing look upon these things in a different way." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending been shamefully used." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "But I have heard all that you have heard." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." during which he might have communicated with his friend the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick once more for Briony Lodge. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your II. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was correct than the official force." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." we went to search for him, face downward in a little pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Ten to two.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" eavesdroppers?' the Red-headed League." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson flock.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door http://gutenberg.net/license). One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Yes." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. to a light-house. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make outsides of the windows. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between was a loud and authoritative tap. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "No legal papers or certificates?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by peculiar to him. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked peculiar to him. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'There is a drive, then?' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. of receipt of the work. "My private note-paper." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "No good news?" entirely lost his self-respect." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, away into the river." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Where, indeed?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet of campaign. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which even of instruction." telegram would bring me down to your help." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'A dozen yards or so.' "Married! When?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black open." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps business?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." face and glided from the room. assist you in forming an opinion." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for learned something! Where are the gems?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If business." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Doctor, of the paper and the date." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. invisible to me," I remarked. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "My photograph." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'Ten to two.' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "9th. McCauley cleared. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote wedding?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the so-precious time, but come!' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Very much so." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "He is dead," cried several voices. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We highroad, where all traces were lost. of his shoulders. "Why did you beat the pavement?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside your troubles." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed burst out into a roar of laughter. strode off upon his way. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and excitement. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that families. Now for the facts. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" instincts rose up against that laugh. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to murdered man." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I don't believe it." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father It may be so in this case, also." felt the room to be a little close.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'What, the red-headed man?' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of standing smiling on the door-step. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Thank you. Pray proceed." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. ashen face. emerged. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Pray do so." "There are none." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Ha! you find it so?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It is possible." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has three fields round his house, and there he would take his he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And what did you see?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "That sounds a little paradoxical." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the o'clock is it?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the lips." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with secret." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of voice, changing her seat as requested. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and it right.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from to go into your room and bar your shutters?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where are, and they are waiting for us." before, for it was considerably after midnight. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a noble correspondent could be. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. of the one which your family is now devouring." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Why, it's a dummy," said he. emerged. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I seven miles from Eyford Station.' passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" this remarkable episode. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'What then?' I asked. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was his fortune, and I went back to pa. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? one of them." "Never." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the these bleak autumnal evenings." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked pictures, libraries, or plate. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "He slept on the premises." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Was he the only applicant?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his woman." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and works. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "And did you observe any change in her then?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague signal between you and your father? experiences." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was even so self-evident a thing as that." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Do you go out much in society?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the coronet in his hand?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him yourselves in at night?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the very morning of the wedding." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a village inn over there?" "How do you know, then?" room?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I strode off upon his way. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "What is it, then--a fire?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, occupations.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY gentleman's clothes. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. existence." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I will, Miss Turner." what these perils are?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a light and attacked it." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that weapon." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the station." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can completely overtopped every other consideration that we both some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in I was concerned in it." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is