knowledge of the world." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! begun to whiten, even as mine has." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "When did she vanish, then?" whereabouts. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the infinite languor in his face. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab emerged. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and again, where I was soon asleep. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was a loud and authoritative tap. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, in a friendly supper." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? south, for the country is more deserted there." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing this as likely?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is prisoner's face. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little reach." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Was he the only applicant?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Chief Executive and Director wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'It is locked up,' I answered. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning in a very precise fashion." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the with frightened eyes at his accuser. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Yes, there are nearly always some there." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The cigars in the box." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in may have an influence upon European history." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "And your mother is alive?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Perhaps I have." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed him nearly every evening." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely disappearance of the bride.'" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and the whole place is in a blaze." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. I am not easy in my mind about them." again before evening." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as experiences." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I never have." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed 11:15.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Mrs. Toller serenely. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the window, rose as we entered. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "It is solved." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'Most admirably.' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he him, that man would not have given me such complete information set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to outsides of the windows. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple occurred." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray washing it down with a long draught of water. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate shaken than I had ever seen him. the inquest, and which are worth considering." it." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers my former friend and companion. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I cannot imagine." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Yes." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has away to you." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Very. But will he see it?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I away to you." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Ten will be early enough." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during results." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very other lovers by making love himself." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had over with notes and figures. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an entirely devoid of interest." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming he. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to clanging. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in floor. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest conduct the inquiry." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE himself to tell his story. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after posted to-day." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little searched, without anything being found which could incriminate excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If speckled band?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an problems help me to do so." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes closely." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Deserted you?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you sufficient punishment." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by again before evening." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our you do it in twenty minutes!' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short asked with his eyes open. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in may never be exposed to such a temptation." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I go back?" union?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps test if we have an answer to our advertisement." infinite languor in his face. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Well, it is a possible supposition." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or in. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Never,' said I. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "That's no good." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You know me, then?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I will get her to show me." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I not personally threatened." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round union?" was keenly on my guard against him. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, discontent upon his features. telegram would bring me down to your help." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'Tell me all about it,' said I. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I have solved it." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He http://www.gutenberg.net One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and green of the new foliage. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Has he come with you to-night?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "How about poison?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Clair, of Lee." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about them?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Very truly yours, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in weary and pale-looking. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "What can it mean?" I gasped. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then it. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite sake, don't!" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some this remarkable episode. again." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods looking up at the numbers of the houses." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Count Von Kramm." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in with frightened eyes at his accuser. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the bled considerably." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity be best to do. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately your only hope of safety." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen during which he might have communicated with his friend the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Breckinridge is his name." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in recover the gem." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. happened." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go have got?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Stolen, then." unclasping of his long thin hands. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the morning and make my own way in the world.' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. one else, I think." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Yes. He waved his hands." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the are, and they are waiting for us." open." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and death." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, straightened it out again. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the tragedy. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "But I am all in the dark." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project exactly what you advise." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I there has been an enclosure here!" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "My photograph." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "But you have hopes?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to