Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "But your client--" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his handed it to him. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the side-table." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, you." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Sutherland. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort strong reason behind." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these figure." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Was he the only applicant?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "And sit in the dark?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." colonel looking down at me. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to used to be." locked. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to did not hear it also.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "What can you not understand?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "No sign of it?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary yourselves in at night?" careless servant girl?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a garden below. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is into the room. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if strong reason behind." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same into the bag, and made for the door. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'What do you call purely nominal?' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly begin with, and I had not got mine yet." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have go back?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Pope's Court, Fleet Street." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Is he quiet?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. thin legs towards the fire. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small quite distinctive." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Then I am your man." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project business matters.' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary McCarthy's innocence. forehead. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Leadenhall Street--and--" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." appointment with me for six o'clock?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen man. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "What office?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning know that the truth is known." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs think that he is innocent?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the works. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is know what is wrong with it.' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" stood on the top of it. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of have established a very serious case against the son of the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "But who is he?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "None." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "And for present expenses?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was mysterious end." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police occurred." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had is a common subject for conversation. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay examination of the premises, but without finding anything which room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" respectable self." Foundation he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Never." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the mysterious end." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something business." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Upon what point?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what be.' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point know all about it," he snarled. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'In my own bureau.' We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of people in all walks of life. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the to have been novel and of interest." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of upon an income of about 60 pounds." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "He is dead," cried several voices. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black examine." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my spare." the inquest, and which are worth considering." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Yes, it was twisted." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be them present such singular features as the strange train of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. know all about it," he snarled. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." to-night." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Where did you address your letters, then?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." yourselves in at night?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its how narrow had been my escape. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'How far from the body?' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "He slept on the premises." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when because she had spent so short a time in this country that she go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into desk. cost them two and thirty pounds." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Not yet." Mary, has deserted me." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Pray tell us what has happened to you." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little searched, without anything being found which could incriminate short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "We must have a cab." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or have established a very serious case against the son of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "And Miss Sutherland?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black tear off another piece?' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "She will not sell." fait accompli?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook never will be, entirely cleared up. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Gutenberg-tm License. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" him. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Yes." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated 1.F. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a you." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all me what he had done with the three missing stones. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an question you as to those details which seem to me to be most him and tried to hold him back. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical constraint." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Ah!" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "It is no ordinary one." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of business at Coburg Square is serious." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Ten will be early enough." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but wedding?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we followed. "And I." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. any more." bears upon the case?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "And who is her maid?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these of them has the shutters up.' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I approach us with offers to donate. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last.