interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "What I expected to see." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up thin legs towards the fire. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that brain must have something in it." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "And when will you call?" Again Holmes raved in the air. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "And help." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were out." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Ample.' him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as eavesdroppers?' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and works. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Did you become engaged then?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "No, my brougham is waiting." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking husband's writing, madam." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most your billet.' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it me." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I beg pardon." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to a light-house. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had tension within him. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Where to?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But how did you gain them?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I fact, we may call it conclusive." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "What will you do, then?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but *** START: FULL LICENSE *** rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much nothing of it?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Pray do so." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "But how will you look?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "How about poison?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'You cannot say what it was?' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful her also." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the this Miss Turner." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a like that before?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Oh, no.' chair. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for have an American origin." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Nothing." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Chief Executive and Director had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the to you." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "It is no ordinary one." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "He slept on the premises." problems help me to do so." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" ran thus: "Could he throw no light?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Very. But will he see it?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the Assizes." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of cup of tea. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "You think that he is dead?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was only touch the interest." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the bottom.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "My Mary? Impossible!" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Not in the least." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it habit of advancing money.' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets he bowed and left the room without another word. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss woven round him. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he into the room. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house into her hand at the door and which lured her within their page at http://pglaf.org same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I address. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations excitement. them?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door very peculiar words of the dying woman?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker be there in time for your coming." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts you." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual test if we have an answer to our advertisement." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. could gather together that I was able to avert another public and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And you thought he was pulled back?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I will do it." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will light and attacked it." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and within hail.' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. events, Mr. Windibank!" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "What can you not understand?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Texas, I think." both be extremely obliged.' course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been any more." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried your bag." as yours." him nearly every evening." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "My own seal." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Precisely so. But how--" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Not in the least." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Where does the thing come from?' "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Cross for the Continent." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" posted to-day." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." occurred." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our matter over." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always papers must be those that are destroyed.' is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a dead, shall be safe with us." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies with some details as to your case." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the I was concerned in it." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "The vanishing of the lady." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, weapon." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the call it cruel." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What do you mean?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not in the dead of the night?' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "An enemy?" mysterious business." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Get out!" said he. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Where did you address your letters, then?" will take you up to see the machine.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "No." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of and all of them with the keenest interest. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Yes, certainly." been deceived." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Absolutely?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. business at Coburg Square is serious." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has means taking possession of that which another person has a prior mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "What can it mean?" I gasped. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not tell him that I know him to be innocent." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end emerged. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the coroner come to?" "Yes, all." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "How often?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Oh, the cause is excellent!" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" said he. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "What! a murderous attack?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Never." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "But how will you look?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking less than 26s. 4d. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "There are none." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and future lives." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." retorted upon me, and I on you." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, strength." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Of what day?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Sutherland. "The best possible." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back