education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Yes, certainly." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Yes." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Oh, yes, easily." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "My private note-paper." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Why did you beat the pavement?" business?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water daring than any effort of the imagination." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced happened." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "And you can do nothing until then?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, his knees, staring into the fire. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "In San Francisco, a year ago." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'It is locked up,' I answered. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips an introduction to him?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be putting in the horse. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "You have but to name it." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's down in his armchair and closing his eyes. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as reach." jewels which you have stolen?' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of arrested. You then--" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which coat-tails." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned you in your example." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down even so self-evident a thing as that." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the narrative." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my daring than any effort of the imagination." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, words came to my lips. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I shall most certainly do so." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after of campaign. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "And how did you find out?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. your most interesting statement." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural you?' stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "That is unusual in a young girl." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to his face. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Miss Holder?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was several quiet little villages up there." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four returning from some small jollification and was making his way was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs time." have accepted such a situation. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Countess of Morcar's?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the ourselves in the office." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Certainly." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt before, for it was considerably after midnight. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Very truly yours, it right.' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Your presence might be invaluable." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." that I can to serve you." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had American. Then who could this American be, and why should he situation." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his a little more before I quite committed myself. "'You cannot say what it was?' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would cigars in the box." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in to you." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'Where could I find him?' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the brandy and water within his reach. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away see me here to avoid scandal." "What then?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes, sir." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of made him keep the appointment." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I amused." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." better in every way that they should make their position a little docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am made him keep the appointment." or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let that threaten you." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I will do it." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we green of the new foliage. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which records." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have enter into my head. to Leatherhead. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else you in your example." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I just called myself is not exactly my own." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were business in the City. She little knew what. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think chemical work which was so dear to him. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Entirely." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Ample." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away south, for the country is more deserted there." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "My dear Holmes!" "But it has twice been burgled." "A client, then?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Then the page we have seen--" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of this as likely?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Sutherland. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. introspective fashion. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Was she in good spirits?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in south, for the country is more deserted there." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was get her out of the way." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could children over to America with him, so that I found myself without peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Thank you. And your address?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the handed it to him. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "The rest you will leave in our hands." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and throat." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, particular state visit http://pglaf.org Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Well?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Arthur Conan Doyle daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the a good hundred miles off by now." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say at a side door. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." locked." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Is purely nominal.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I think that it is very probable." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "What do you mean?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the window, rose as we entered. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Young McCarthy must be got off, however." vanished into the darkness. shoulder. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "The gentleman I describe." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had desk. thin legs towards the fire. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Is purely nominal.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "You did not overhear what they said?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Dirty?" do." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time was the fact that his father should, according to his account, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to surprise her." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "What! You do not mean bodies?" plantation.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Who was the criminal, then?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Certainly, madam." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "The King of Scandinavia." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It is very kind of you." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa me where it went to?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the them, and came down just as you departed. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with for its centre. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal this poor creature." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through back alive. towards the blaze. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free said I. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any had picked up in the wood. "No sign of it?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and burst out into a roar of laughter. "And now?" I asked. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "One?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Were they all fastened this morning?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon quite distinctive." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we prepare for the new role I have to play." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "In heaven's name, what for?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I came to find a friend." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I cannot imagine." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand indiscretion." as this. Pray let me have the details." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had question. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." quick march!" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended