Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the only touch the interest." "And it is--" "You are all wrong." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been know what is wrong with it.' "But your client--" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man shadow pass over his face as I spoke. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'Entirely.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," very morning of my second wedding." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and I shall be with you presently." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly ourselves in the office." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and his forehead." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident with some details as to your case." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "You horrify me." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and had picked up in the wood. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I was sure that I might rely on you." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Her father is very rich?" "Where to?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Edgeware Road. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it him. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father pound a week." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, instituted." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, helping a boy to put up the shutters. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the coronet at all injured?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Where, then?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Certainly, madam." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most I shall continue with my miserable story. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he intrusion of other matters." down. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'And the work?' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "No more words. Get out!" foresight and the moral retrogression?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes' room. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime that I can to serve you." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady fait accompli?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize see a sister of mine apply for." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; considering the formidable letters which were received by himself absorbing." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I will try. What is it?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Yes." "And how did you find out?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in in this note: License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be house for five minutes.' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and whole matter to your consideration." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "One of the highest in England." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the little opening for the ventilator is." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman extraordinary contortions. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that from you?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "How can you tell that?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever what is your own theory as to what took place?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "He slept on the premises." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what call the police, let the police find what they can.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you You can understand that this register and diary may implicate had no one to advise her at such a crisis." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" that threaten you." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily were unconscious?" "It is his hat." the bottom.' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so happened." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first instituted." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the are, and they are waiting for us." to arrive at through this?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Your presence might be invaluable." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, been." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "What do you make of that, Watson?" "That is easily got." "Yes. He waved his hands." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "They are typewritten," I remarked. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate The telegram which we eventually received came late one night season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are ordinary clothes on?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "What will you say?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Not yet." "Who was the criminal, then?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my appointment with me for six o'clock?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of emerged. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite I nodded again. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all I. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Why serious?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the salesman. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than behind me. events, Mr. Windibank!" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "You were travelling in the States?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland any more." orange pips. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. out of this horrible affair." "But we can't all be." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical breakfast and whispered something to her husband. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. past. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." himself in a perplexing position. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the answer." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. main points of my analysis." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a business in the City. She little knew what. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no and no precautions can guard against." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "But how did you gain them?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, grasp, he hurried from the room. than was visible to me." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into that, and I came down." crackling voice. a room. congenial hunt. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "The rest you will leave in our hands." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. that I am arrested." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. was not a bird to be seen there. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Nothing." "ARAT," I read. "Upon what point?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended wall." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Was he the only applicant?" read it out to me." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Perhaps we may make them less so." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the place of silver." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project them, and came down just as you departed. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." go back?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The It was close upon four before the door opened, and a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed hour?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official shoulder; "he's all right." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "He is still with you, I presume?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "My dear Holmes!" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. papers." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a that you saw all that I did." of a light. light and attacked it." is," said he presently: looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which seem to you to be relevant or not." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Yes, certainly." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back him nearly every evening." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would upon an income of about 60 pounds." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all spare." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the child." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with one of them." second window is the one that I jumped from." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "That's no good." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major geese which you supplied to the Alpha." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia forehead. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'A dozen yards or so.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would vague figure huddled up in the darkness. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a strength." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Yes, but only for you and me." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Ah, but I was recommended to you." in this note: feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You have the photograph?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, official police." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the bed, and you in that chair." compunction about shooting them down." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Perfectly so." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some directors, with the result that you have seen." results." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the roots. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated little adventures." go back?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and