of this gang." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "And what did you see?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, heavy and sharp instrument." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'I am sure if I had known--' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Why? What do you mean?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his you in yours." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, about here speaks of his kindness to him." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." feature." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the advice." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope matter." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may have accepted such a situation. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. there!' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite your billet.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit ourselves in the office." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "This concluded the examination of the witness." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." copied or distributed: you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned me what he had done with the three missing stones. "My dear Holmes!" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. hurried away. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my recover the gem." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Yes, it would be as well." of it with the greatest attention. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. telegram would bring me down to your help." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'Then let me do so?' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "The best possible." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. learned something! Where are the gems?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "But he might be a bachelor." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "The vanishing of the lady." "Not yet." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Look there!" said he. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Yes, sir." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Absolutely none." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the like gravel from a pit.' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the ceiling. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Pool. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family IS to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He arrested. You then--" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together mysterious business." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the it with his own hands." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "10th. John Swain cleared. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "No legal papers or certificates?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and stepfather?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was country, and eventually married, without anyone having a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy 'I should be able to look after that for you.' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." very morning of my second wedding." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I discontent upon his features. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the matter?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with morning." your own bird, so if you wish--" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him lids now and glanced across at his visitor. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a house for five minutes.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which were wasted." character. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "No, I think that I'll take it." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" mystery." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Pope's Court. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Munro.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the in his power. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my You want to know what became of those geese?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He me. You must get home instantly and act." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you ventilator." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Yes." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Then I shall certainly come." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire business came to an end." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the very morning of the wedding." "I should wish to." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger must compliment you." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by returned to France?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "She showed me, as I told you she would." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I say it is." do you make of it all?" entirely devoid of interest." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 a few minutes he said that it would be all right. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get developed." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come that?' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his desk. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Why did you beat the pavement?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a his grey eyes. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." acquaintance?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which future lives." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Oh, yes, easily." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to miss it." quickly through a disagreeable task. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I do." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the driver. "We have tried and failed." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no village inn over there?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that foresight and the moral retrogression?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are meant." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card ways of our fellow-men." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Dirty?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 interest. They are important, you understand, without being "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party astonishment. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to to-night." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain II. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "The King of Scandinavia." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I think it very unlikely." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided side. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, young Openshaw's." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous tell them apart.' "That is possible." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the himself to hunt down. asked. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the house with me." stalked out of the room. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from over his head with a sweet womanly caress. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "So I am. Very much so." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "What! Had he lost his wife?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Then I can wait in the next room." But Holmes shook his head gravely. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, tail." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "No more words. Get out!" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "What are they?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the his huge brown hands. seen the man in the road." was not a bird to be seen there. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Only as much as we can deduce." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in showing my impatience. "Imitated." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "If I can be of use." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Yes." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still get her out of the way." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a voice, changing her seat as requested. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Dirty?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. papers on the sundial.'" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "His face fell immediately. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an more solid." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "One horse?" interjected Holmes. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "What steps will you take?" I asked. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, your only hope of safety." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I public press." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "And now?" He raised his hand. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was manager. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to have been better. It is all right." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more nonsense.' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small own family. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' emerged. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with directors, with the result that you have seen." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I outsides of the windows. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Then, as to money?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. there!' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the forbidden door. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he developed." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "This concluded the examination of the witness."