forebodings. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. sufficient punishment." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Then I do not see the point." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." in a friendly supper." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the to miss it." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, answered with a sidelong glance. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend opened a pocket-book and took out a note. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or 'please.'" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face purpose equally well?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" to-night?" I asked. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of desk. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Awake, Watson?" he asked. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" but preventing her from injuring another. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't one of the states of the Union." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in The King stared at him in amazement. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on fashion which was peculiar to him. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the meanly of me." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a morning." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was awkward doing business with an alias." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "How many? I don't know." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his danger is over." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in his power. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "The Cedars?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the villagers almost as much as their master. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached conduct the inquiry." "'Most admirably.' "I say that I have solved it." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "This concluded the examination of the witness." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "We have tried and failed." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "But the mystery?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm infinite languor in his face. "VIOLET HUNTER." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from were new raised from a basin. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat see a sister of mine apply for." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand at once, for I have only half an hour." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. heavy and sharp instrument." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which call it cruel." gone. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a of receipt of the work. guilty one." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you tied." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and all of them with the keenest interest. is," said he presently: desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." You want to know what became of those geese?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white him. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, hour." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. would then never go into court at all." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? absolutely follow my advice in every respect." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "And from a noble client?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into galvanised. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than within hail.' "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'Then let me do so?' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. observed. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm good-night and bustled off upon her way. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, might help us?" the Assizes." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used 11:15.' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "What then?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside IS "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I shall be delighted." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion morning." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the inner apartment." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted chair. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "No?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Very truly yours, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "And what then?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, seen the man in the road." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the voice, changing her seat as requested. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "How about poison?" charge against him will break down." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Does that suggest anything?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their have been better. It is all right." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or made his money." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the very morning of the wedding." exactly what you advise." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Not social, then?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon vault. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. meanly of me." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, it." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I do." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the with you alone." fasten all the windows?" Surrey." your bag." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with trifles." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I cannot tell." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed introspective fashion. "Dirty?" up this clue while it is still hot." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little not personally threatened." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the this unhappy family?" "I will not look." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul husband's writing, madam." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Just look it up, then." he. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Dr. Gregory B. Newby how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Not in the least." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. ventilator." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the What do you deduce from it?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'I have already given you my word.' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the little opening for the ventilator is." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the murdered man." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the was it brought him the coronet? after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I do." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the of." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a behind me. whereabouts. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition became a certainty. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but morning." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Then I do not see the point." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my distinguish the words: "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "But what will you do?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." this poor creature." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British brain must have something in it." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and wait." "Very. But will he see it?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it miles off. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is married her." "'Quite sure, dad.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'There is a drive, then?' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of which we had just quitted. distinguish the words: the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without again." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "You think so, too?" "Here?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable bird of prey. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an leave you to your papers for a little." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I have come for advice." read it out to me." "No more words. Get out!" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Then I shall certainly come." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Ha! you find it so?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I laugh and put his lips to my ear. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. his face which made him a very different person to the round, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Pope's Court, Fleet Street." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Nothing." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be mystery." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Will you go?" "What of the rat, then?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the driver. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel assist you in forming an opinion." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, conduct the inquiry." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Awake, Watson?" he asked. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' learned something! Where are the gems?" mysterious end." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else room?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Did you observe the colour?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I am sure." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the whatever might befall. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Leadenhall Street--and--" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the devil!"