arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your stood on the top of it. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left clanging. "A greater distance to travel." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came cigar and let me expound." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Proceed, then." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "By no means." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her depend upon my doing so.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country will be renamed. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my weighed down with some great anxiety. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly mystery!" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "How often?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I have it here in my museum." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "My own seal." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "No legal papers or certificates?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the so-precious time, but come!' "Won't it ring?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently heavily into it. outside." them?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." at home. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it with her." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "How did that help you?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Then how many are there?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "To an end?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were you want, then?' easy-going way." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old like gravel from a pit.' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' words came to my lips. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "What!" he roared. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and fuss that is made over them." late." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. him." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the question. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I am about to be married." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "In which, sir?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" is acting for the best. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "It may not come to that," said Holmes. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking several quiet little villages up there." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon really the only notable feature about the thing." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the questioning and rather startled gaze. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." served to weaken the effect. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in in the port of London." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to coat-tails." details." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked placed his cuttings. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall morning." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Serpentine Avenue. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same For additional contact information: have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which my friend's incisive reasoning. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed least a most suspicious remark." relief. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the tragedy. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a corner of the building. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 never came back." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I copied or distributed: Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King we went to search for him, face downward in a little maiden herself was most instructive." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "What!" he roared. "'Yes.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of to have been novel and of interest." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "And why?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside started for the Temple to see my husband. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "A call for help, you thought?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Edgeware Road. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought girl said." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "You saw the ventilator, too?" the devil!" me upon any point which I do not make clear." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' extraordinary contortions. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "No more words. Get out!" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the said he at last. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I will, Miss Turner." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. as this. Pray let me have the details." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Come in!" said he. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "In heaven's name, what for?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us new acquaintance to Baker Street. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he once more to my work. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Dr. Becher's." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" chambers. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he death." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "On your arm?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "But his left-handedness." lamp. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the running down." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." key turn in the lock." "What then?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day hands. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To train.' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, habit of advancing money.' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere that you saw all that I did." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it it." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "That is easily got." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Nothing?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Certainly not. But why?' fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that present." "'Is purely nominal.' ill-usage at the hands of fortune. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "So I heard. You have him here?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "She showed me, as I told you she would." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, not fit the lock." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left *** START: FULL LICENSE *** receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the such person." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "He might." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Is he quiet?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through bearing upon the case." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the tightly behind him. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the fattened it expressly for you.' "Pray do so." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I business." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the side-table." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or criminal. We have already had experience of such." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the devil!" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and What do you deduce from it?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you was a lad." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no of this gang." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane,