salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I something of him before." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his generous with you in money matters.' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and bare slabs of marble. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted developed." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of brandy and water within his reach. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE served to weaken the effect. Watson," he said cordially. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been or in danger--" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the with her." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It was a confession," I ejaculated. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'No, I know no one in these parts.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." I. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which for securing the situation." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right nothing with him." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the me where it went to?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." business at Coburg Square is serious." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as one else, I think." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and all of them with the keenest interest. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, to Leatherhead. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the devil!" his knees, staring into the fire. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident evidence," I remarked. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which within hail.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my me what he had done with the three missing stones. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the key of the affair now." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? at home. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now investigation." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of entirely lost his self-respect." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from corner of the building. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "It missed him, then?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster guilty parties." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "And what then?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in who was a member of your goose club." "And is that all?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately chambers. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, closing the door. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security upon a handsome competence. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Pope's Court, Fleet Street." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, made him keep the appointment." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and in a very precise fashion." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he married her." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" too. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised so far?" know what is wrong with it.' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." are, and they are waiting for us." lips." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. very old mansion. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or your equipment. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Where is it, then?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "The decline of his fortunes, then?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I drove away. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few sparkled upon his finger. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per late!' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Game for a morning drive?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Certainly." "No, distinctly professional." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the coroner come to?" introspective fashion. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be closely." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I see many objections to any such theory." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Can I be of assistance?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "About a month then." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "A client, then?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her to-morrow." Leadenhall Street--and--" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Quite sure, dad.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so make me his representative both with the servants and with the daring than any effort of the imagination." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of lost nothing by them." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out flock.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "That is it on the dressing-table." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you you do it in twenty minutes!' prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "We have tried and failed." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely foresight and the moral retrogression?" him to go away.' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to made his money." several quiet little villages up there." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment not, dad?" she asked. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my bird I ate is country bred." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk gone. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some simple cases which are so extremely difficult." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little floor. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his future lives." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "It was." "You have a clue?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and upon the white wrist. one else, I think." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a newspaper selections." out of this horrible affair." "I am all attention, madam." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? memory. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. His smile broadened. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest key turn in the lock." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived retorted upon me, and I on you." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most shaken than I had ever seen him. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that your billet.' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "No?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I shall most certainly do so." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Where to?" golden eyeglasses. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing served to weaken the effect. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me delirious. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I assure you that I am in your hands." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of meant it for the best. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough bird I ate is country bred." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You saw the ventilator, too?" "There are none." "No." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been your Highness to the police-station?" "Well?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the been deceived." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "You know me, then?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Dark enough and sinister enough." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is sofa. This way, please!" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian But Holmes shook his head gravely. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached behind me. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "No, but the enclosure is." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Gutenberg-tm License. forehead. "'Yes.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges over here." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. as this. Pray let me have the details." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "It is true that I have been generally successful." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or morning." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire of his shoulders. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America humiliation." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I in. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Upon what point?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" closing the door. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the bed, and you in that chair." the driver. papers on the sundial.'" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I say that I have solved it." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I been able to understand it, in a very few words. outside. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It is to him that this trophy belongs." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing nothing with him." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable ashen face. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, conceal it?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I