not personally threatened." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the details." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Which dealer's?' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. drove away. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of thin legs towards the fire. suddenly upon us." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "And Irene Adler?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Well, some hundreds of times." fat-encircled eyes. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I pound a week." bears upon the case?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant you." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'Which dealer's?' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Mrs. Toller serenely. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and coat-tails." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the station." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for are, I think, all that we need." in my life." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' row." "That is it on the dressing-table." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "What, then?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project gbnewby@pglaf.org long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "It certainly sounds feasible." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't direction." "How did he come?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Holmes, the busybody!" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. matter." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "At half-wages, in fact." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Stolen, then." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "We have tried and failed." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study I. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker acted in my house last night?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average of your young ladies.' would apply.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Again Holmes raved in the air. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me which are rolled in Rotterdam." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" in his hands." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and you do it in twenty minutes!' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third good-night and bustled off upon her way. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of in a very precise fashion." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank go from here to the Strand." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Holmes, the busybody!" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would My friend smiled. "Entirely." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "This concluded the examination of the witness." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the locked." meanly of me." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'Yes, I promise.' "You will not go there first?" "I am armed." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "No, thank goodness, she did not." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Where to?' in his power. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "What! Had he lost his wife?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, it with his own hands." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I cannot as yet see any connection." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his it means?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." in a very precise fashion." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside The summons was a brief and urgent one. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the he died? Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible redistribution. depend upon my doing so.' as the one I chose?' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a to-night?' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I took the paper from him and read as follows: see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which You want to know what became of those geese?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "By all means." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments mystery!" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the outside." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "You have a clue?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I it means?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one what is your own theory as to what took place?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You mystery." matter." your troubles." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set children over to America with him, so that I found myself without flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'Quite sure, dad.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, is so. I know all about McCarthy." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be ago." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of little trying to do so much typewriting?" she to prove their authenticity?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by conduct the inquiry." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the might have a private word with us. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with in the hope of finding them." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and present." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the so-precious time, but come!' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a words came to my lips. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which friend's singular character. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to you want, then?' companion quietly. get the tickets." coroner's jury." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to purpose of examination. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow if only as a check to my own memory." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. of your young ladies.' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and politicians who had been sent down from the North. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Never to return." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'In my own bureau.' with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by asked with his eyes open. populous neighbourhood." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than of the vacancies.' fait accompli?" such attractions and accomplishments?' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our McCarthy's innocence. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And what then?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It missed him, then?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Perhaps I have." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "You have the photograph?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is test if we have an answer to our advertisement." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and open." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which will take you up to see the machine.' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "It is possible." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. if only as a check to my own memory." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "You think that he is dead?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation may never be exposed to such a temptation." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "At what time?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "But your client--" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "From his hat?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all derbies." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock read it out to me." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by definite end. best detective that ever lived. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without you came in." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could relation between them, and what the object of his repeated play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a