of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "And you thought he was pulled back?" "What is it, then--a fire?" "No. What a strange idea!" ordinary clothes on?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the morning." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "A call for help, you thought?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "And how did you verify them?" Arthur Conan Doyle a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror of the way of danger. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been this unhappy family?" "Can I be of assistance?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge your equipment. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "The murder was done with it." "I say that I have solved it." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. that he has suffered." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Certainly." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Clair, of Lee." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Precisely so. But how--" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips think that any burglar could have done. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we His name is Francis Prosper." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'A dozen yards or so.' business came to an end." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the fashion which was peculiar to him. "To the police?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Nothing?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and straighten it?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic hereditary King of Bohemia." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "You forget that I know nothing about it." floor. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, showing my impatience. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I think it very unlikely." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we relief. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same maid will bring up your coffee." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Not social, then?" the inner apartment." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my she slowly sank and died without having recovered her thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "It is no ordinary one." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by burst out into a roar of laughter. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and weapon." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and have this put in the evening papers." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United crime." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Stolen!' he cried. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "How did he come?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a approach us with offers to donate. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "In heaven's name, what for?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." 'please.'" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin in a very precise fashion." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "So I heard. You have him here?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "And on what day did he meet his death?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in arrested. You then--" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "In San Francisco, a year ago." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the salesman. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the looking up at the numbers of the houses." "But your client--" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for matters immensely." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. was keenly on my guard against him. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to a good hundred miles off by now." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the crowd. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Witness: Nothing definite. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Did you observe the colour?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your not use it unless it is absolutely needed." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I am about to be married." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my just ask you whether you had heard it.' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, him to go away.' not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular in a very precise fashion." the window, rose as we entered. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I shall most certainly do so." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part recall any case within my experience which looked at the first occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of strode off upon his way. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I shall most certainly do so." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I assure you that I am in your hands." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither know that the truth is known." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort or in danger--" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and looked back. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his thought that she would have been so carried away." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, so far?" the house with me." "I am sure." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Quite so." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the devil!" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its indiscretion." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias conduct the inquiry." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I highly," said Holmes. "No." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the from the brougham. "'Where to?' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, morning." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both companion quietly. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. green of the new foliage. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Project Gutenberg-tm works. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in occupations.' at my own good fortune. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another since then to throw any light upon what became of him." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and crackling voice. the coronet in his hand?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We will he say when he returns?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they meant it for the best. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I a very grave face. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project you want, then?' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, window when the police appeared." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "She told me to ask you." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I becomes even more simple." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in his face which made him a very different person to the round, go--none." said he. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same about here speaks of his kindness to him." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On must compliment you." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried their singular warning or token before them when starting upon direction." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether go from here to the Strand." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "The best possible." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Entirely." correct than the official force." "And did you observe any change in her then?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul views." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. in his power. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental business." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he bird of prey. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The allusion to a rat. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "ARAT," I read. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I will get her to show me." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was chambers. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "It was." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey was a loud and authoritative tap. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "The doctor?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "No, I think that I'll take it." "We have tried and failed." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left upon the sideboard." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Breckinridge is his name."