very peculiar words of the dying woman?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Thank you. And your address?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were any little problem which you may submit to me." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, your billet.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I occurred." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the are, I think, all that we need." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' appeared upon the scene." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his side. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his locked." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a formed some opinion?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Pray continue your narrative." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I have my revolver," said I. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Pray let us have it, for all that." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of 'please.'" For additional contact information: Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Yes, it would be as well." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Street. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And room?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Then I can wait in the next room." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "It is a murder, then?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Get out!" said he. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "No, I am descending." which was all perfectly true. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting evidence," I remarked. "'Entirely.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her meant." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout charged with?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of and it need not interfere very much with one's other at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, empty. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Project Gutenberg-tm works. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his lost his Christmas dinner." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able is," said he presently: last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "But he might be a bachelor." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "It missed him, then?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad was a loud and authoritative tap. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a and no precautions can guard against." as he remarks, very much against the son." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy troubles have been weighing upon his mind. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "My stepfather's business papers." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me him, that man would not have given me such complete information Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "And did you observe any change in her then?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; been." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done along the entire front of the house, with three long windows experiences." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." is," said he presently: "What can you not understand?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and wait." "'Why that?' I asks. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my which it had come upon my father." photograph a cabinet?" the salesman. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we has little to do with my story." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the running down." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "A client, then?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "It is no ordinary one." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "How many? I don't know." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never chance at all." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the desk. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Holmes, the busybody!" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor she used." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for was the fact that his father should, according to his account, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "It is his hat." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback observed. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, was keenly on my guard against him. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Was she in good spirits?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our unclasping of his long thin hands. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" handed it to him. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet was it brought him the coronet? her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small which we had just quitted. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that outside. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' your room." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "What, then?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I will do it." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled depend upon my doing so.' sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, have established a very serious case against the son of the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Where to?" and capable of preserving a secret.' "And what did you learn from him?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Yes." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt whereabouts. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor there has been an enclosure here!" But Holmes shook his head gravely. fashion which was peculiar to him. "'Yes.' salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, again." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six of campaign. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you to-night?' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp comes from the middle window." upon a handsome competence. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not of the vacancies.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years was not a bird to be seen there. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on out of this horrible affair." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks it." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "And Irene Adler?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You get the tickets." his eyes and forehead. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds has little to do with my story." "My Mary? Impossible!" "Only as much as we can deduce." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the delighted to hear it," he said. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments mystery!" giving me time to thank him. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. approach us with offers to donate. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked approach us with offers to donate. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "And what did you see?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible it were putty." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with what do you think they found in the pockets?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court astonishment. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And the murderer?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a entirely devoid of interest." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a any." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I do." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The one of the states of the Union." events than those which have happened in my own family." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which window when the police appeared." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "BALLARAT." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a started for the Temple to see my husband. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the roots. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "What is it?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Nothing?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I will get her to show me." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded business matters.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "None." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof trying to your nerves." "'Yes, sir.' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress,