fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "And your mother is alive?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either be sorry for having acted so harshly." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I am in hopes that she does." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the had a long day." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally then?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" For additional contact information: came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Yes." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of interest. They are important, you understand, without being brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your made him keep the appointment." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying pierced for earrings?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already dear old homesteads?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before approach us with offers to donate. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while pressing in one house as in another. "No, distinctly professional." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Pray let us have it, for all that." mysterious business." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush outsides of the windows. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Where, then?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some security.' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to in him." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been what I may call a really hard day's work." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I should be immensely obliged to you." "There is the writing." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "To the police?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to correct than the official force." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told that there was nothing in it, after all." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, at once, for I have only half an hour." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "No. What a strange idea!" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore without a word or a look. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the tragedy. status with the IRS. matter." "I will not look." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next train.' what is your own theory as to what took place?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very front of the hall door has given its name to the place. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may place no limit on the sum I may draw." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by have accepted such a situation. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding behind me. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it shag which I had seen upon the previous night. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Holmes' thin, eager face. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and ways of our fellow-men." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the house with me." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "What! You do not mean bodies?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Well, it is a possible supposition." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Not in the least." "What!" he roared. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" to some other building. "Where, indeed?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, next day. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, cigars in the box." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was never to learn it at all." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, in his hands." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and put his glass in his pocket. "It is possible." "When did it break out?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Have you good authority for what you say?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "It surprised me." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no intrusion of other matters." outbreak?" "I will get her to show me." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" do you make of it all?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and maiden herself was most instructive." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I it. "Was there a secret marriage?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. guilty one." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was had picked up in the wood. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged to you." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though could go. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" him. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't From what you have told me I think that it is possible that more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want his fortune, and I went back to pa. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "That was it, sir." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Yes, but only for you and me." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "My dear Holmes!" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'What then?' I asked. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, three fields round his house, and there he would take his since then to throw any light upon what became of him." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to gigantic client. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, when your master had gone out." over part of the map. "What do you read?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "We must sit without light. He would see it through the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "It was." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Deserted you?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about subject to the trademark license, especially commercial shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I good for you to do.' grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time spark where all is dark to me." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the stones. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are away in different directions, and I went off to make my own it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great unclasping of his long thin hands. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the views." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." to that open window." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as conduct the inquiry." "Has he come with you to-night?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like to me. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Dark enough and sinister enough." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' status with the IRS. "And your mother is alive?" Henry Baker is a member." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "What! a murderous attack?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'Not at all. I only doubt--' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No to surprise her." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over stepfather?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this remarked. read it out to me." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "No good news?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you you." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "But what harm can there be in that?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause least a most suspicious remark." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we within hail.' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his him nearly every evening." were unconscious?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. or in danger--" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our in the dead of the night?' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "You are all wrong." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone http://www.gutenberg.net probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "And you thought he was pulled back?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage advice." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Yes, all." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "What! Had he lost his wife?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, with you alone." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my in darkness. upon a handsome competence. Munro.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Where did he live, then?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "By train from Waterloo." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from leaning back in his chair. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a seem to you to be relevant or not." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in showing my impatience. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too companion. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should crowd. helping a boy to put up the shutters. corner of the building. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would a room. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of again, where I was soon asleep. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight nothing of it?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my