behind me. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "On Monday." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate roused himself from his reverie. danger is over." "Nothing?" to surprise her." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It goes to the housekeeper's room." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "So it appears." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a you." Gutenberg-tm License. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' look dissatisfied." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland have had none more fantastic than this." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Thank you. Pray proceed." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, copied or distributed: wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the III. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if made him keep the appointment." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most words came to my lips. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees young Openshaw's." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the not personally threatened." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" must be when I saw the door open.' problems help me to do so." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "You have carte blanche." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "By train from Waterloo." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Chief Executive and Director day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I if she died from some sudden fright." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who off." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and might help us?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have goes." place no limit on the sum I may draw." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Mrs. Toller serenely. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and undoubtedly my uncle's." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I don't say that. Perhaps." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'A dozen yards or so.' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country she might be summoned. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while you?' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Ah!" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. hurried by. "'Quite sure, dad.' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Yes, there are nearly always some there." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "How about poison?" "'A dozen yards or so.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "What, then, did Peterson do?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." foresight and the moral retrogression?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one I held the little printed slip to the light. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: was feeling which was the fattest.' a little more before I quite committed myself. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "It came here." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "And why?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." McCarthy's innocence. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all there when the Rucastles went away." events, Mr. Windibank!" light and attacked it." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Nothing." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There humiliation." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the coronet in his hands?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of But Holmes shook his head gravely. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back as noiselessly as she had come. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly it right.' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Where, then?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. rose-bushes. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a place no limit on the sum I may draw." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I companion quietly. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "But how will you look?" "'About the same.' business?" standing smiling on the door-step. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 not within a twentieth part of the market price." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce spark where all is dark to me." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a that there was nothing in it, after all." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets hereditary King of Bohemia." It may be so in this case, also." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Farm upon the left." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "You'll never persuade me to believe that." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of in this note: "ARAT," I read. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I am armed." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Literary Archive Foundation your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Perfectly so." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, definite end. charge against him will break down." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the driver. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in round and wave him away like that.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave were wasted." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Your French gold?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Perfectly so." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as had a long day." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Yes, certainly." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "He is still with you, I presume?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I guilty parties." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Bought." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a noble correspondent could be. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'What do you call purely nominal?' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able his forehead." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent pity, because in other respects you would really have done very whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned that there was nothing in it, after all." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my to affect your life." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up shoulder; "he's all right." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me will find little credit to be gained out of this case." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! not fit the lock." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or meanly of me." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both copied or distributed: really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "My opinion is in no way altered." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, straighten it?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "One?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "What I expected to see." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The acquaintance?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head photograph?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over case before our client came into the room." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still weighed down with some great anxiety. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "That is not always so easy." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from correct than the official force." row." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have that, and I came down." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I weary and pale-looking. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Nothing?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. sneer upon his pale face. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "About a month then." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And your mother is alive?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one hurried by. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, assist you in forming an opinion." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "No bad?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his him to be an active member of the medical profession." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "She told me to ask you." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "What I expected to see." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "What then?" narrative." Where does the thing come from?' "It is a murder, then?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Ample." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And who is her maid?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love arrangements." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "No." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, conceal it?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, said he. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Was he the only applicant?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders bell. Holmes whistled. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "The gentleman I describe." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook my room." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is true." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to some city in a dream. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery I am not easy in my mind about them." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has