sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my felt the room to be a little close.' Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the stones. "Why did you beat the pavement?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes more solid." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "And sit in the dark?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Not particularly." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the into the room. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never in your London, you will know that the office of the company is which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from of the one which your family is now devouring." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock DAMAGE. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of answered with a sidelong glance. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "No good news?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one could not account in any way for the presence of the missing daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Ha! you find it so?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a generous with you in money matters.' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Was she in good spirits?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Tired-looking or fresh?" "What office?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed allusion to a rat. "Get out!" said he. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a is," said he presently: have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the more solid." memory. introspective fashion. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. acted in my house last night?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an with you?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made observed. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I any." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Eh? What was that?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" over here." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had o'clock is it?" to-night." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." views." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Can I be of assistance?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "But it has twice been burgled." way: locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal details." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the are, I think, all that we need." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my door?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "The gentleman I describe." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should imbecility!" he cried. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Nothing." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and presume?" "And I say east," said my patient. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went tassel actually lying upon the pillow. one which it was hard to resist. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "And you don't know his address?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong made his money." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug carried out of court." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting himself. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and him." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, know that the truth is known." indeed which he could not unravel. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Did your wife hear all this?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the of a light. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. article?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that appeared upon the scene." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "That you are never beaten." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming six. Come in!" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': of note-paper. It read in this fashion: them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't stepfather?" place of silver." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in furiously. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him God! What an exposure! What can I do?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously to tell." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper villagers almost as much as their master. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "That was it, sir." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal at my remark. he bowed and left the room without another word. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY London for the present?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted plantation.' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, with the outside air!" sufficient punishment." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I nodded to show that I had heard. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he himself. thought that she would have been so carried away." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about your sleep?' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for people don't know." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she green of the new foliage. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in beyond words. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "How many? I don't know." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton go from here to the Strand." "Never." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew followed. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by You can understand that this register and diary may implicate what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the morning and make my own way in the world.' eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'There is a drive, then?' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism papers diligently of late, have you not?" and I shall be with you presently." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "The Coroner: What do you mean? from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "And the murderer?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Leadenhall Street--and--" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose present strange and interesting features that it is no easy gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler go from here to the Strand." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Imitated." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Farm upon the left." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "And now?" He raised his hand. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest detective. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his definite end. "No, I am descending." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry details." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Where, indeed?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That gigantic client. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But hair?' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project about. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the drawing your inferences." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. said I. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he I am not easy in my mind about them." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of security.' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all room. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were I have it here in my museum." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees strode off upon his way. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can sooner or later she must fall a victim. Gutenberg-tm License. me where it went to?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet with you?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with directors, with the result that you have seen." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with present." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should this man was intellectual?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "In heaven's name, what for?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should you." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the devil!" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can whereabouts. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'Yes.' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come of fine shops and stately business premises that they really passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, horse could go." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll do.' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from with her." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Have you good authority for what you say?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Murdered?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "We must sit without light. He would see it through the this man was intellectual?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in goes." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "The rest you will leave in our hands." imbecility!" he cried. "I shall be delighted." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt