showing my impatience. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'Oh, no.' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to tell." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Is he quiet?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his bedroom door." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Imitated." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And I to find an enemy." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. morning." this as likely?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of prisoner's face. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. have been better. It is all right." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "No, my brougham is waiting." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in case before our client came into the room." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the here and I will read it to you: rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "It came here." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." case-book, which he consulted. straightened it out again. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son thin legs towards the fire. purpose equally well?" "Then he might have called to you?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back problems help me to do so." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good fear." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." points to suicide?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." peculiar to him. through." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I humiliation." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See empty. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'Very good.' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned did not hear it also.' "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my question. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. wedding?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "What! Had he lost his wife?" eat it." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "You did not overhear what they said?" have got?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing public press." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are arrested. You then--" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive here and I will read it to you: Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Have you it here?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Proceed, then." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "No, my brougham is waiting." "I fear not." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by ago." "Certainly, madam." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Always." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "How about poison?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of your room." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "And who is her maid?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "No legal papers or certificates?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is distance from the station, and there we found the young lady twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I go back?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "In what way?" asked Holmes. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I cannot as yet see any connection." row." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Not I." been deceived." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Yes, sir." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "What shall I do?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when at my remark. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its not personally threatened." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "She walked into the breakfast-room." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "And how in the world did you find them?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "That you are never beaten." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of tear off another piece?' Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and a shock of very red hair. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable only touch the interest." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Why did you pick him?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the for and were ordered to this address. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be infinite languor in his face. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the delirious. villagers almost as much as their master. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what acquaintance?" article?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for anything to a woman, for she would have her way." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Stolen, then." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Yes. He waved his hands." a monotonous occupation." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, three of the beryls in it, was missing. "It came here." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "The Cedars?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable mystery may be cleared along those lines." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of done what I asked you, Jones?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "No." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Here?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Not yet." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the coronet in his hand?" "My dear Holmes!" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Really! You surprise me." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Certainly." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper wife's character?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "But you have hopes?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that there was nothing in it, after all." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I away to you." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in License. You must require such a user to return or said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that I can to serve you." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now is entirely a question of barometric pressure." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety my secret was safe in his possession. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to tackle the facts." I am not easy in my mind about them." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "She showed me, as I told you she would." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "What will you say?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against bachelor.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the morning." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "If I can be of use." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just again, where I was soon asleep. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I DISSOLVED. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Look there!" said he. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "No, distinctly professional." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "What then?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his persecution?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few constraint." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle will be renamed. been." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." matter." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was joking. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done second." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Always." This is what he says: the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Married! When?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to astonishment. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. vault. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with both be extremely obliged.' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the very morning of the wedding." of the way of danger. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "How do you know, then?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Yes, he did." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of your young ladies.' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. neither fascinating nor artistic." awkward doing business with an alias." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Where, then, is my wife?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "The Cedars?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of through." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY