"'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'And the work?' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "If so, much may have happened between." "To the police?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "None." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at know all about it," he snarled. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to some other building. vault. The King stared at him in amazement. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I have my revolver," said I. "Not yet." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "How on earth--" leaning back in his chair. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which society." carried out of court." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I would pay ten." questioning and rather startled gaze. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "To an end?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "What do you mean?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I will, Miss Turner." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of pound a week." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "9th. McCauley cleared. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a which it had come upon my father." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments developed." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "There are none." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when photograph?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in his cane at the bell-pull. "You have a clue?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. fait accompli?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the on in his house." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside empty. "Yes, I have one waiting." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is which we had just quitted. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest think that any burglar could have done. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "How do you know, then?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the client, rising. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest suspect him." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "In San Francisco, a year ago." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "If I can be of use." "'There is a drive, then?' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." criminal. We have already had experience of such." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and that he would see to anything that turned up. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Sutherland. such person." "Then, as to money?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "My own seal." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "He is dead," cried several voices. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on to you." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. fear." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "And why in hopes?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply What do you deduce from it?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, peculiar to him. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private was lame." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" touch that coronet?' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Count Von Kramm." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the invisible to me," I remarked. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the it." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he think that he is innocent?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'About the same.' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining companion. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the loss of it. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little eat it." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, discontent upon his features. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is read over the extraordinary announcement. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Could he throw no light?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "He is dead," cried several voices. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Nothing?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "But of what society?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Eyford." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Pope's Court. presented more singular features than that which was associated for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Entirely." few hundred pounds.' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. new duties?' "You have the photograph?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "But she could not love him." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding upon the shelf for the interim." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said highly," said Holmes. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in problems help me to do so." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since astonishment. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Which dealer's?' said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' of a light. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Well, but China?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular go from here to the Strand." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "But he might be a bachelor." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Serpentine Avenue. feature." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Holmes." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way seen the man in the road." did not hear it also.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my it. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. are, I think, all that we need." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black bled considerably." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I was mad--insane." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that trifles." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive should be so warm over such a trifle." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy respectable self." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "No." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "But of what society?" "Not him." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was them present such singular features as the strange train of colonel looking down at me. business came to an end." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this characteristics, but those are the more obvious." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very here and I will read it to you: age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "She showed me, as I told you she would." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton wedding?" locked. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to hardly wander." not personally threatened." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in to tackle the facts." second." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding allusion to a rat. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "By no means." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Henry Baker is a member." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Did you observe the colour?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British was the fact that his father should, according to his account, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the grasp, he hurried from the room. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" beyond words. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. details." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, happened." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence again, where I was soon asleep. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the dangers which encompass me." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of hurried by. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had in a very precise fashion." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "My dear Holmes!" giving me time to thank him. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'Yes, I promise.' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be over with notes and figures. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official to you." "How on earth--" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or must compliment you." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure yards of it?' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say