"A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should thirty. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary depend upon my doing so.' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. you." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'Why that?' I asks. "But your client--" hereditary King of Bohemia." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I cannot think." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Edgeware Road. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "In heaven's name, what for?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man occupations.' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, matter." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "This concluded the examination of the witness." entirely devoid of interest." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly hardly wander." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "It is possible." "In which, sir?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are a room. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Proceed, then." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "She will not sell." to-night." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I more solid." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he a monotonous occupation." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you have not had my rubber." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I have hopes." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I am sure." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far quick march!" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and The events in question occurred in the early days of my was a lad." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that in this way: matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my when you have done it." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and the whole place is in a blaze." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "About a month then." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'Where to?' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the inner apartment." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" seven miles from Eyford Station.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my stammered. me. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have new duties?' we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather I have it here in my museum." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the even so self-evident a thing as that." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the night.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Do you go out much in society?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the until night should bring an explanation. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his letters?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions anything to a woman, for she would have her way." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Do you go out much in society?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found respectable self." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came questionable one." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "No more words. Get out!" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Sutherland?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." it." "When did it break out?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a back to my heart. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low forebodings. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. without a word or a look. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "They are typewritten," I remarked. infinite languor in his face. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been John Swain, of St. Augustine. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the little opening for the ventilator is." mystery may be cleared along those lines." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left of his shoulders. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'As governess?' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was you." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the very morning of the wedding." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Mary, has deserted me." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "No." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Certainly, madam." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more to have been novel and of interest." best detective that ever lived. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, room?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the driver. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Come in!" said Holmes. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of to-night?" I asked. "On your arm?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the you?' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting nights." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "What do you make of that, Watson?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "We were both in the photograph." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic prisoner's face. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Never to return." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old colour had been driven from his face. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "VIOLET HUNTER." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "And I to find an enemy." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" you give your casting vote to?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his his eyes and forehead. noting anything else of interest. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. question. examine." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do my friend's incisive reasoning. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "But how?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in himself. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I am still in the dark." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles weary and pale-looking. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Do you go out much in society?" "It is a murder, then?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "What steps will you take?" I asked. helping a boy to put up the shutters. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it clanging. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his passage and a tap at the door. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a light and attacked it." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Yes, sir." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Perhaps I have." records." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to have that photograph." his fortune, and I went back to pa. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in out of this horrible affair." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I will not look." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the nursery. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a questioning and rather startled gaze. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few discontent upon his features. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "You have carte blanche." "He slept on the premises." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler carpenter." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Yes, only one." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See you." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that not, dad?" she asked. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each to a light-house. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened their singular warning or token before them when starting upon two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks sparkled upon his finger. you do it in twenty minutes!' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "And it is--" "And sit in the dark?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise remarked. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was tension within him. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small crime. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal to change my dress. to-night?" I asked. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until mystery." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in hardly wander." all-comprehensive glances. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not question you as to those details which seem to me to be most My friend smiled. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting and I shall be with you presently." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND my room." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "My last client of the sort was a king." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried