and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yes, only one." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her peculiar to him. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "It is half-past ten now." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "'Yes, it was gone.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Did you observe the colour?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and put his glass in his pocket. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not will be renamed. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in she used." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Yes." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Yes, it would be as well." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "And for present expenses?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with vanished into the darkness. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "What, then?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of only touch the interest." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'I am sure if I had known--' papers must be those that are destroyed.' place of silver." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" look dissatisfied." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "But your client--" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive murdered man." out of this horrible affair." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Why did you pick him?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "The best possible." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, to tell." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hurried away. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Proceed, then." "I beg pardon." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Yes." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from look upon these things in a different way." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the coronet in his hand?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed that you wished to speak to me?' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be she has been waylaid. There has been no result." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address sufficient punishment." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the general public were present, then?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he place of silver." "Yes, sir." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit highly," said Holmes. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It man. I know him from the photograph." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in voice. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. system of imprisonment?" "And who is her maid?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from done what I asked you, Jones?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I am not easy in my mind about them." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this strength in the others." to surprise her." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the bottom.' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. in this note: fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little kind enough to tell me what I should do." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a against a man in the prime of life?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "A greater distance to travel." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got was not a bird to be seen there. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Then you may entirely rely on me." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon congratulate you again." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty suddenly upon us." "Only as much as we can deduce." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows think that he is innocent?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all me. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the name is different." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I do." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's article?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "But how did you gain them?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, awaited us upon the table. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in you." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, help us in this matter." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "And Miss Sutherland?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "None." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Heh?' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "In which, sir?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, you in yours." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Very truly yours, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I am all attention, madam." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Then, as to money?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." corner of the building. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened your Highness to the police-station?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it me." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to wedding?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Yes, sir.' "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness a little more before I quite committed myself. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of directors, with the result that you have seen." time." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low there in twenty minutes." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything south, for the country is more deserted there." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that invisible to me," I remarked. kind enough to tell me what I should do." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." with the outside air!" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend has little to do with my story." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other back into the street. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Then, how do you know?" death." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." villagers almost as much as their master. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the gbnewby@pglaf.org were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly breakfast." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "But who is he?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "It may not come to that," said Holmes. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I do." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, clanging. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the inner apartment." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." not as remarkable as your advertisement." weary and pale-looking. occurred." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Yes." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it strength." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be imbecility!" he cried. "He slept on the premises." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Never to return." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to to surprise her." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "And from a noble client?" had picked up in the wood. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of touch that coronet?' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for this truth that in these little records of our cases which you All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." with frightened eyes at his accuser. observed. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Well?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey think that any burglar could have done. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you stepfather?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and hands. few hundred pounds.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was back into the street. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Yes." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from case-book, which he consulted. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the than was visible to me." new acquaintance to Baker Street. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low most interesting one." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by