deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "He is dead," cried several voices. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, this Miss Turner." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will once more to my work. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss I leave." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Pray continue your narrative." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I think that it is very probable." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. directly by questioning you." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then your room." retorted upon me, and I on you." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold copied or distributed: man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Then, how do you know?" the ceiling. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the way: "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily http://gutenberg.net/license). Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "What can it mean?" I gasped. answered with a sidelong glance. villagers almost as much as their master. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" of it with the greatest attention. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." was lame." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the hour?' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It spare." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "At what time?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long already referred to. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Never to return." allusion to a rat. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "And your father? Did you tell him?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, wife's character?" in one or two places in England?' not come at once?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had name is different." "Then you may be so with me." clang of the bell. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella should be taken.' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to-night." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Yes." what is your own theory as to what took place?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? happened." Holmes rather sternly. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a time." such attractions and accomplishments?' official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical seven miles from Eyford Station.' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my wedding?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable gentleman's clothes. the station." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other in him." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open have had none more fantastic than this." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the in darkness. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. you?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Did your wife hear all this?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "That you are never beaten." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave was used.' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'Certainly,' I answered. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so his huge brown hands. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Ten will be early enough." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Then you may entirely rely on me." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable particular state visit http://pglaf.org purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating a very grave face. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Munro.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss interested in these little problems, and since you are good are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Perhaps I have." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress whole matter to your consideration." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, spare." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to everything which you would wish to know." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was beg that you will break it off." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "So I have heard." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. that I am arrested." Holmes. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to at a side door. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "But how did you gain them?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn burst into a hearty fit of laughter. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Texas, I think." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Yes, sir." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding chance." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful she used." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Yes." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. may have an influence upon European history." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire round with crates and massive boxes. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We it." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "But I am all in the dark." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Then the page we have seen--" "Her father is very rich?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Never to return." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "That you are never beaten." "And how in the world did you find them?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have call it cruel." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." once more. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Where is it, then?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for tell him that I know him to be innocent." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help said I. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'You cannot say what it was?' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, people don't know." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Precisely." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. disappearance of the bride.'" some water from a caraffe. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "When did she vanish, then?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "No." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that washing it down with a long draught of water. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while http://www.gutenberg.net hardly wander." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And why in hopes?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It was an hour's good drive." which are rolled in Rotterdam." danger is over." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate chance at all." "Yes, at the mines." "It was an hour's good drive." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Pray do so." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, me have 200 pounds?' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land ordinary clothes on?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "And what then?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he with some details as to your case." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." to-night?' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we your Highness to the police-station?" the one as in the other." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his new acquaintance to Baker Street. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in father's young wife. pound a week." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of is worth.' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the shall use the carriage to-night." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "10th. John Swain cleared. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of galvanised. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the tail." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic later, upon the night of May 2nd." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "This photograph!" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I have a cab outside." ready to-morrow?' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "To ruin me." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could words came to my lips. wedding?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, disturbance in my wife." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "By no means." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'No, I know no one in these parts.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a III. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. with the outside air!" acted in my house last night?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since fashion which was peculiar to him. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. my special province." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I have solved it." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my down from London to inquire more deeply into it." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Not I." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me over here." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and I. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite not come at once?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" populous neighbourhood." ran thus: many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns