"Precisely so. But how--" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Have you good authority for what you say?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Serpentine Avenue. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. definite end. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "So it appears." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the hard-headed British jury." "We were both in the photograph." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, man. "Why did you pick him?" together. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up indeed happy." gigantic client. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary if only as a check to my own memory." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned me where it went to?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the look dissatisfied." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the matter." "Entirely." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he I have it here in my museum." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Just look it up, then." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." meanly of me." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Your presence might be invaluable." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and inquire as to the address." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had stalked out of the room. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I past. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I answered that I had not. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer For additional contact information: down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding one else, I think." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to when you have done it." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight could gather together that I was able to avert another public where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences seen the man in the road." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "One of the highest in England." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise said I. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and attention." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should events than those which have happened in my own family." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Witness: I must still refuse. hair?' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with peculiar to him. a monotonous occupation." had formerly been in part my own. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be infinite languor in his face. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** heavy and sharp instrument." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before British peeress.'" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "And you can do nothing until then?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "What of the rat, then?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I say it is." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Dr. Becher's." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." be best to do. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I giving me time to thank him. "But not more so than I to find you." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Upon what point?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to constraint." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Yes." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the Assizes." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which horse could go." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you help us in this matter." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Literary Archive Foundation about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. you in yours." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Where to?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "And leave your case unfinished?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed and laid it on the table. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and father's place of business?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing hopeless attempt at recovering them." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his leave you to your papers for a little." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "None." think, you have already met." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth me have 200 pounds?' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I so far?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were I was concerned in it." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "No." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "But I have heard all that you have heard." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an clanging. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Ah!" this remarkable episode. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And when will you call?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of do you make of it all?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been be.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the matter." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" late." out." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of one's self under obligations.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you strong and stiff." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other been shamefully used." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Quite so. She has her freedom." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I indeed happy." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to not fit the lock." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the station." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird closely." the driver. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside American. Then who could this American be, and why should he see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "But we can't all be." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a always that they were such commands as a lady might with Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at likely to be some crony of the landlady's." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "A thing like a cleaver," said he. mysterious business." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and no precautions can guard against." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** shoulder; "he's all right." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something kind enough to tell me what I should do." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her key of the affair now." "Her father is very rich?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Yes, the wine-cellar." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an to-night's adventure." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Oh, no.' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was keenly on my guard against him. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of over with notes and figures. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, were wasted." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a lips." letters?" must compliment you." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, call the police, let the police find what they can.' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the relief. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried for and were ordered to this address. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window happened." "Yes." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and in this way: parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to examine." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have place, I think that there is good ground to think that the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that you wished to speak to me?' once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide nothing with him." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I carried out of court." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. it." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Pray continue your narrative." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more likely to be some crony of the landlady's." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring grasp, he hurried from the room. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in with her." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Yes, it was gone.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and the whole place is in a blaze." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "The gentleman I describe." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'Where could I find him?' I shall communicate with you." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, business." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her McCarthy." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten