her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, tied." "'Certainly not.' "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "No good news?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" this unhappy family?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "And did you observe any change in her then?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of said he. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second may have an influence upon European history." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Yes, that is the Crown." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his States. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his likely to be some crony of the landlady's." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'Yes, I promise.' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in carpenter." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "No." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "But I am all in the dark." "What shall I do?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout door?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. help us in this matter." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses gives a meaning to it." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Then you may be so with me." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes, all." "The knees of his trousers." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I cannot tell." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City never will be, entirely cleared up. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt said he. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some skylight. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes new acquaintance to Baker Street. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there less than 26s. 4d. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. highroad, where all traces were lost. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I will try. What is it?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Have you it here?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we think you a quite exceptional woman." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, standing smiling on the door-step. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and a shock of very red hair. room. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "But his left-handedness." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Oh, the cause is excellent!" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, strength of mind to control. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and a shock of very red hair. way in everything. "You are all wrong." your own bird, so if you wish--" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just fat-encircled eyes. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab this poor creature." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Project Gutenberg-tm works. shoulder. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the window, rose as we entered. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "And the murderer?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a lectures into a series of tales." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, minor matters until to-morrow." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my new acquaintance to Baker Street. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. events, Mr. Windibank!" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with train from Paddington which would bring you there at about no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs himself to tell his story. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Texas, I think." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." delighted to hear it," he said. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what himself. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we to-night?" I asked. what these perils are?" "It is a murder, then?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp second." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Deserted you?" the roots. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" client, rising. the Assizes." what is your own theory as to what took place?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies matter." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Thank you. Pray proceed." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "But his left-handedness." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there who was a member of your goose club." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Yes." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my your own bird, so if you wish--" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to weary and pale-looking. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across remarked. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the my secret was safe in his possession. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Whose house is it?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, roused himself from his reverie. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder stepfather?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "To an end?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. IS introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the point in the dark hollow of his hand. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Not in the least." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did your equipment. other means.' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Farm upon the left." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Not particularly." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "A call for help, you thought?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I you." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'Why that?' I asks. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his dear old homesteads?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Is purely nominal.' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at returned to France?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been here and I will read it to you: from you?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Proceed, then." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "How about poison?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "What of the rat, then?" footfalls from the street. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such showing my impatience. "Witness: I must still refuse. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, window when the police appeared." foot. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and My friend smiled. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If waste of energy." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I furiously. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." bill, which interests me deeply." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Absolutely none." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon his wife has ceased to love him." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the heavy and sharp instrument." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no narrative." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, upon an income of about 60 pounds." chamber." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Yes, it would be as well." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "It was an hour's good drive." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Eyford." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "What of the rat, then?" "By all means." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather cheerful." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "One?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been with you alone." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "And who is her maid?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "The best possible." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "The gentleman I describe." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between