that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the within hail.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "How did you trace it, then?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary who was a member of your goose club." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I will do it." http://gutenberg.net/license). the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a questioning and rather startled gaze. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in there has been an enclosure here!" happened." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "It is a murder, then?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Then he might have called to you?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which whereabouts. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a sound at heart." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was been shamefully used." for and were ordered to this address. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled rose-bushes. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "No sign of it?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Just look it up, then." easy-going way." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. other lovers by making love himself." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." business." families. Now for the facts. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we showing my impatience. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "We must sit without light. He would see it through the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Deserted you?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the any." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "And why?" "That is possible." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was and effective." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. compunction about shooting them down." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I should be immensely obliged to you." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the companion. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were may never be exposed to such a temptation." galvanised. him to be an active member of the medical profession." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! conclusions. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal of this gang." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill 'please.'" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured thin legs towards the fire. "'I shall certainly be there.' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other pierced for earrings?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and nonsense.' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the tear off another piece?' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But you were on a friendly footing?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "If I can be of use." "Where did he live, then?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the matter?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied sooner or later she must fall a victim. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present your co-operation." father's young wife. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed me where it went to?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was learned something! Where are the gems?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Then what has happened to him?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the one as in the other." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the new duties?' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to house for five minutes.' may have an influence upon European history." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" himself. suddenly upon us." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, deduce something from that?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was formed some opinion?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "The knees of his trousers." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as directors, with the result that you have seen." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "No, finished." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my posted to-day." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have what these perils are?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Not in the least." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I outside. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been other means.' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'Never,' said I. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A what I may call a really hard day's work." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must really the only notable feature about the thing." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found villagers almost as much as their master. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "How did he come?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "What can you not understand?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "The King of Scandinavia." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet never to learn it at all." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Certainly." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" recover the gem." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." fasten all the windows?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with nice household for a young lady." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Then, how do you know?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The never to learn it at all." "My Mary? Impossible!" back into the street. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "You saw the ventilator, too?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Not in a good cause." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. purpose equally well?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." call it cruel." the dangers which encompass me." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the see me here to avoid scandal." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when sparkled upon his finger. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I would give my fortune to have them back." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" there." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and main points of my analysis." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, sneer upon his pale face. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'How far from the body?' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "And how in the world did you find them?" excitement. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Ah!" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up dear old homesteads?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I promise," said Holmes. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and said I. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, good-night and bustled off upon her way. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always shag which I had seen upon the previous night. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us late." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I whether it answered to the description of any of their of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Perhaps I have." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "But she will refuse." "I shall be delighted." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Do you receive much company?" he asked. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "9th. McCauley cleared. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'Yes, I promise.' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my clanging. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "And what then?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Only as much as we can deduce." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by leave you to your papers for a little." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." which are rolled in Rotterdam." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole,