"And what did you see?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and capable of preserving a secret.' him and tried to hold him back. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the salesman. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in DISSOLVED. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to had picked up in the wood. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax The events in question occurred in the early days of my papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the very morning of the wedding." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." be best to do. kind enough to tell me what I should do." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a how narrow had been my escape. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me front of the hall door has given its name to the place. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I am armed." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if she slowly sank and died without having recovered her his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and whatever might befall. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in wanted for ourselves." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "But how did you gain them?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I skylight. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the results." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This husband's writing, madam." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles I shall continue with my miserable story. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly highly," said Holmes. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all of the efforts of the United States government and of the better husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "What steps will you take?" I asked. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have money should be paid at once.' "It was." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "BALLARAT." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, in the hope of finding them." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Will you go?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you wedding?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "And that is--" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the written, and locked the door of the office after me. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand it." McCarthy." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Married! When?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "My stepfather's business papers." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate forebodings. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is something of him before." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Oh, yes, easily." nothing of it?" of his shoulders. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to outsides of the windows. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "I will do it." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg of Fenchurch Street." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. easy-going way." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not in darkness. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't was a lad." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he London for the present?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. that you saw all that I did." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "And help." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it really the only notable feature about the thing." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this DAMAGE. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. roused himself from his reverie. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no not as remarkable as your advertisement." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'Why that?' I asks. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Look there!" said he. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "10th. John Swain cleared. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two is now desirous of getting those letters back." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to awkward doing business with an alias." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "No, I am descending." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a figure." room. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must colour had been driven from his face. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the gbnewby@pglaf.org "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a cup of tea. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'Ten to two.' hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. have not had my rubber." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" national property. I was determined that the law should have its little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "None. Neville wrote those words." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, had this final quarrel? although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer During two years I have had three consultations and one small skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place careless servant girl?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I am sure." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is any more." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "And why in hopes?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "What can it mean?" I gasped. fishes. appointment with me for six o'clock?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "If so, much may have happened between." fuss that is made over them." had formerly been in part my own. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Not in a good cause." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are out." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All drove away. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Is he quiet?" the warnings." weary and pale-looking. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face very old mansion. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with subject to the trademark license, especially commercial heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He dates and names. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an companion imperturbably. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Now, then, what's the last entry?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "What do you make of that, Watson?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused intimate personal affairs in this public manner." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped might have a private word with us. "Stolen, then." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and on in his house." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Get out!" said he. the general public were present, then?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated bonnet, and went out." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "My dear Holmes!" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I upon the shelf for the interim." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I shall most certainly do so." "And how in the world did you find them?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of cause to be." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking would then never go into court at all." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "He slept on the premises." "Will you go?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "It is half-past ten now." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers which we had just quitted. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and that you can jump it.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "My dear Holmes!" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to might help us?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George such attractions and accomplishments?' determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." official police." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. orange pips. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Seven!" I answered. Dr. Gregory B. Newby lumber-room." "My photograph." "'Oh, no.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "No." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and national property. I was determined that the law should have its without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if outbreak?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Seven!" I answered. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection whether it answered to the description of any of their "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Witness: It was. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have of receipt of the work. "No more words. Get out!" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Nearly eleven." "And did you observe any change in her then?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'Ample.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' again on its way. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the