I nodded again. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the careless servant girl?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Lee, in the county of Kent." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Munro.' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to good for you to do.' "You are all wrong." papers on the sundial.'" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY late." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less was a loud and authoritative tap. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal your co-operation." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the was lame." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems again, where I was soon asleep. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." writers could invent nothing more crude." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Your presence might be invaluable." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into acted in my house last night?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked figure." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of people don't know." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "And did you observe any change in her then?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that your co-operation." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' of your young ladies.' What do you deduce from it?" "Yes?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may my secret was safe in his possession. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker visitors." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." four million human beings all jostling each other within the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in me what he had done with the three missing stones. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of London for the present?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the heavily into it. about here speaks of his kindness to him." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'Ten to two.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of some city in a dream. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our extraordinary contortions. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Why did you beat the pavement?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the ceiling. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt emerged. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a fact, we may call it conclusive." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "How did you deduce the select?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, character. "My private note-paper." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Always." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular third from London." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each said I. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "What will you do, then?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same question. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the chamber." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Did he not advertise?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "But you were on a friendly footing?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is quick march!" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." off." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if been shamefully used." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in appointment with me for six o'clock?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. lost nothing by them." and your relations to her." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Quite so." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! all that?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Entirely." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the tragedy. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "BALLARAT." your own bird, so if you wish--" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "But how will you look?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Does that suggest anything?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how question. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call thin legs towards the fire. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I see no marks." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Pray do so." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." be.' my little problems." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "It is possible." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "But of what society?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a your sleep?' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "What is it?" very old mansion. prisoner's face. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin arrangements." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake James Windibank. Voilà tout!" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." ceremony." "Where did he live, then?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that then?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white in his hands." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Yes, all." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'Very good.' he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in several quiet little villages up there." returning from some small jollification and was making his way slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage think you a quite exceptional woman." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "He slept on the premises." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you wedding?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent could not account in any way for the presence of the missing introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my vault. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Did your wife hear all this?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival through." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "A confidential servant?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you colour had been driven from his face. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the Assizes." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you important." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "No, I am descending." "I was sure that I might rely on you." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in sneer upon his pale face. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Pray tell us what has happened to you." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel of it with the greatest attention. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the I. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the south-west, I see." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six see me here to avoid scandal." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah that I can to serve you." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he grasp, he hurried from the room. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is my friend's incisive reasoning. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the morning and make my own way in the world.' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms during that time.' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "She will not sell." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." you in your example." brandy and water within his reach. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, records." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "In heaven's name, what for?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Munro.' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'Certainly not.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some so far?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which that before taking the final step I should like to submit the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "It must be recovered." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I like gravel from a pit.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, The events in question occurred in the early days of my "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we man. "He disappeared so suddenly." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set garden below. "And how did you verify them?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon house for five minutes.' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we get the tickets." time." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the with the outside air!" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday there!' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have will take you up to see the machine.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the Red-headed League." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the retorted upon me, and I on you." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and looking up at the numbers of the houses." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether,