after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Was he the only applicant?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "And your mother is alive?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Witness: Nothing definite. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Do you know him?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Has he come with you to-night?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water to miss it." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. into the room. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Her father is very rich?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Ample." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Perhaps we may make them less so." 11:15.' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." purpose of examination. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'Certainly,' I answered. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted asked. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which true." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall heavily into it. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "It is half-past ten now." less than 26s. 4d. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was highly," said Holmes. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was you?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Pray continue your narrative." went to the Alpha were town bred." "'I have heard so.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Very much so." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling 11:15.' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as recover the gem." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the should be so warm over such a trifle." strode off upon his way. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he never to learn it at all." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves assist you in forming an opinion." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I am sure." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "What can you not understand?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "It was." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "One of his hands." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, to you." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. mystery!" "I do." you." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an returning from some small jollification and was making his way He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the there in twenty minutes." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Did you become engaged then?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, his wife has ceased to love him." conceal it?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old humiliation." himself. "None. Neville wrote those words." promised to bring home. putting in the horse. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out with frightened eyes at his accuser. Arthur Conan Doyle "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "One of the highest in England." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, strong reason behind." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Of what day?" away to you." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I am in hopes that she does." been deceived." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a lips." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Sutherland?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards quite distinctive." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no taking in every detail of the apartment. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Not I." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the roots. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at becomes even more simple." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'Certainly not.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "But it has twice been burgled." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "It is true that I have been generally successful." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was there!' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Has he come with you to-night?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "And Irene Adler?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the very morning of the wedding." that I am arrested." Holmes. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "In heaven's name, what for?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which outbreak?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Here?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I should wish to." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is upon the shelf for the interim." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "I would pay ten." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." asked. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'Oh, no.' hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Gutenberg-tm License. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature shoulder; "he's all right." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a cause to be." goes." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Bought." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Heh?' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Yes, at the mines." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The this remarkable episode. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Not particularly." sofa. This way, please!" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine bare slabs of marble. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the inner apartment." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Have you it here?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "You did not overhear what they said?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "To ruin me." "What do you mean?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Stoke Moran." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "My private note-paper." "To ruin me." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), we went to search for him, face downward in a little "What, then, did Peterson do?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to a more successful conclusion." compunction about shooting them down." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would meant." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "ARAT," I read. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "But you have hopes?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was that I can to serve you." be sorry for having acted so harshly." observed. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Yes." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of it. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. locked. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to What do you deduce from it?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Did your wife hear all this?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from enough to aid us in our search." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will character. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Yes, sir." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had look upon these things in a different way." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "His face fell immediately. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "And the cigar-holder?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched acted in my house last night?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I one's self under obligations.' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." you give your casting vote to?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and think that any burglar could have done. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Imitated." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very lips." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his vague figure huddled up in the darkness. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that salesman. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at tassel actually lying upon the pillow. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to Leatherhead. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid