little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the coronet in his hands?" answered with a sidelong glance. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "He might." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Yes." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left had died away into the silence from which it rose. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." really the only notable feature about the thing." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good fashion which was peculiar to him. "That is it on the dressing-table." "Where did you address your letters, then?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out place of silver." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Holmes' room. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Then I am your man." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he to surprise her." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER could not account in any way for the presence of the missing more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of will he say when he returns?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I am to be neutral?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me newspaper selections." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that that I may have something better before very many minutes are simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "He is still with you, I presume?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in he bowed and left the room without another word. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business are, I think, all that we need." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by particular state visit http://pglaf.org village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sufficient punishment." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to meanly of me." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, before, for it was considerably after midnight. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me held up the lantern and gazed about him. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back his wife has ceased to love him." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make 11:15.' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had of." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as are windows in it, of course?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that from you?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future written. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Then I am your man." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the where she found matters as described by the last witness. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out ventilator." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the bottom.' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while him!" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Then let me do so?' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Precisely so. But how--" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in people don't know." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "It looks newer than the other things?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for beyond words. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in done what I asked you, Jones?" "I have hopes." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "9th. McCauley cleared. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are read over the extraordinary announcement. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire o'clock is it?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not purpose of examination. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Upon what point?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in again before evening." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "He said too much." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I would give my fortune to have them back." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the sound at heart." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "BALLARAT." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof character. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in of a light. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "She walked into the breakfast-room." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose might have a private word with us. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" to me. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this something of him before." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from your troubles." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "The best possible." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were of the vacancies.' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of and effective." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'You cannot say what it was?' to a light-house. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. from the brougham. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it writer." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the returned to France?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself DISSOLVED. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of do.' may never be exposed to such a temptation." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Dirty?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." were wasted." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Young McCarthy must be got off, however." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Mary, has deserted me." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present chance at all." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of you?' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already newspaper selections." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be footfalls from the street. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "He slept on the premises." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, London for the present?" beg that you will break it off." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself yet." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "To an English lawyer named Norton." in this way: opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she You want to know what became of those geese?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will little adventures." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission voice, changing her seat as requested. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that opportunities to fix the problem. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the trying to your nerves." intrusion of other matters." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled woman." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all front of me. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I fear not." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Leave Paddington by the 11:15." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Miss Holder?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "In San Francisco, a year ago." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you people don't know." shall use the carriage to-night." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to voice. stammered. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation not fit the lock." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly more terrible than the truth. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "But you can know nothing of this?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right fatally injured? "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'What then?' I asked. Sholtos." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "No. What a strange idea!" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Thank you. And your address?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Look there!" said he. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in happened." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no assist you in forming an opinion." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'I am sure if I had known--' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "What?" everything which you would wish to know." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, papers must be those that are destroyed.' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and not within a twentieth part of the market price." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. strong and stiff." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of that I can to serve you." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant excitement. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my this as likely?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his vault. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "It is possible." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know