"'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Why did you pick him?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch me, and I could not think that his explanation of the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet money should be paid at once.' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. handed it to him. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Certainly." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "And I say east," said my patient. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, you." "Witness: It was. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a even so self-evident a thing as that." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "My dear Holmes!" which was all perfectly true. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do with the outside air!" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his wedding?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that furiously. a little more before I quite committed myself. photograph?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards hardly wander." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Yes, he did." to a more successful conclusion." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." congenial hunt. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the plantation.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the armchair which I pushed forward for him. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Holmes, the busybody!" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty colour had been driven from his face. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the notes," he said. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "You will not go there first?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you cigars in the box." corner of the building. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on vault. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I know where it is." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment lumber-room." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Count Von Kramm." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. closely." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though could gather together that I was able to avert another public promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I will try. What is it?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all back into the street. "But of what society?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all child?' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. your sleep?' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "When did it break out?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of that I may have something better before very many minutes are at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the foot. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in photograph?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in at once, for I have only half an hour." throat." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite married her." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Certainly." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I peculiar to him. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face make me his representative both with the servants and with the down. "I have a cab outside." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to better grown goose." "I know where it is." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Have you good authority for what you say?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to promised to bring home. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a golden eyeglasses. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I have solved it." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were was a perfect sample of the class. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Mrs. Toller serenely. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a father's place of business?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to when you have done it." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed details." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out I nodded again. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'And the work?' Miss Holder?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I think that it is very probable." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I should like to see him very much." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding The summons was a brief and urgent one. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "What is it?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler in. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." will take you up to see the machine.' arrangements." "I will try. What is it?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "In which, sir?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." to talk it over. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, not as remarkable as your advertisement." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," been." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw useful material for showing traces. The double line a little comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "How many? I don't know." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you at my own good fortune. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the strong reason behind." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "No, I am descending." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'Where to?' "Holmes, the busybody!" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without companion quietly. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other been with you?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing grasp, he hurried from the room. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I will do it." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the roots. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now think that he is innocent?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in stalked out of the room. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'Yes, sir.' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, there has been an enclosure here!" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the armchair which I pushed forward for him. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the highroad, where all traces were lost. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Ha! you find it so?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he which was all perfectly true. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the happened." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the awkward doing business with an alias." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in quite distinctive." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Won't it ring?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and your relations to her." already been minutely examined." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so important." "Then how many are there?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Doctor, of the paper and the date." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her not come at once?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east again before evening." father's place of business?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "But who is he?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months could go. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as His smile broadened. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is open." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." was not a bird to be seen there. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and directors, with the result that you have seen." "And when will you call?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Then what has happened to him?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made train.' "Why, it's a dummy," said he. fashion which was peculiar to him. fear." of the vacancies.' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "You were travelling in the States?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a get her out of the way." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general you?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. matters immensely." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed